Implementation Plan

Students will gradually transition to the adapted grading format in the following ways:

December 2021: All students received a streamlined, ASPEN-based report card at the conclusion of Term 1.

May 2022: Grade 7 and 8 students will be introduced to the letter-based scale and the conversion algorithm by teachers.

June 2022: Grade 7 & 8 students will receive their Term 3 report card that includes a top-line letter grade for core academic subjects.

Blake teachers have been partners in the development of the adapted grading format since the release of the Analysis of Standards-Based Reporting Practices report in April 2021.

Under the guidance of Dr. Nathaniel J.S. Brown (See Work With Boston College), Principal Nat Vaughn, and others, teachers have:

• Participated in professional development to align grading practices within Blake and with high school teachers

• Refined priority standards within each content area

• Developed a four-point priority standards scale to replace the three-point scale.

• Collaborated on the development of the standards to letter grade algorithm to enable the creation of authentic and meaningful letter grades for English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and World Language.

Work will continue to hone day-to-day and end-of-term feedback to provide meaningful information to students and families.

As highlighted in the Analysis of Standards-Based Reporting Practices report, it is important to communicate effectively with parents /guardians on updates to the feedback reporting system. Thus, we provide families with multiple ways they can learn more about Blake's contextualized grading system. These include:

• Analysis of Standards-Based Reporting Practice report- a 46-page internal study on which modifications were based.

• Blake Middle School Student Feedback Family Information Portal- A comprehensive website providing an overview of Blake's contextualized grading system and information about the many associated projects (professional development, digitization) that support this rollout.

• Blake Site Council Meetings- Throughout the year, site council meetings have provided updates to the modifications to Site Council members and other Blake parents/ guardians in attendance.

• Regular Email Updates- Nathaniel Vaughn (Principal, Blake Middle School) provides families regular updates on changes to the feedback system via email.

• Feedback Presentation- Nathaniel Vaughn (Principal, Blake Middle School), Christine Power, PhD (MPS Director of Instruction and Innovation), and Nathaniel J.S. Brown, PhD (Associate Professor- Lynch School of Education, Boston College) presented information focusing on the changes to the feedback structure. The meeting was held on Wednesday, May 11th and was recorded.

• Contact- In addition, families are encouraged to contact Mr. Vaughn or Dr. Power directly to request additional details or ask specific questions.

In addition to supporting Blake students, teachers, and families, we view this work systemically and seek to include perspectives from Medfield Public Schools and beyond. These include:

• Collaborating closely with Department Chairs who oversee academic departments within the district. Their lens is essential in providing an understanding of high school contexts and expectations.

• Working with Central Office and High School Leadership to ensure synergy of practices and a holistic perspective.

• Supporting projects and teacher education opportunities that promote robust instructional and assessment practices, meaningful vertical teaming opportunities, and facilitating a smooth transition between the 8th and 9th grades.

• Building 6-12 collaboration opportunities into the district calendar to promote a sharing of perspectives and inform colleagues of practices across the two buildings.

• Developing our connection with Boston College as we refine and improve upon our grading and assessment practices at Blake Middle Schools and other schools within the district (see Work with Boston College).