Standards-Based Learning Evidence-Based Reporting

What is Standards-Based Learning?

Standards-based learning is a systematic approach to the planning and implementation of high-quality curriculum, instruction, and assessment. These practices meet the needs of students, educators, and families by promoting greater levels of clarity, communication, consistency, and effectiveness in teaching and learning. Using prioritized North Dakota content standards, learning time is maximized while learning progress is measured through the scaffolded demonstration of competency throughout the learning process. Standards-based learning is rooted in instructional research and serves to create a guaranteed and viable curriculum.

~North Dakota Department of Instruction

FPS Best Practices Bookshelf

Standards-Based Mindset

A belief that grades should convey how well students have achieved standards. The shift in thinking from what students earn to what students learn.

What is a Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum?

Viable Curriculum: a well-articulated and reasonable set of knowledge and skills that every child should learn in grades K-12 in the time available.

Guaranteed Curriculum: a curriculum that is taught in every classroom in every school.

A guaranteed in proficiency for all essential learning outcomes for each course. It is impossible to guarantee proficiency of every standard in every course every year. Therefore, less is more.

Grading should include a body of evidence that provides an accurate measure of a student’s achievement of course standards with emphasis on Essential Learning Outcomes. Grading practices should instill confidence and self-efficacy in all learners.

PURPOSE OF GRADES

The purpose of grades is to communicate to all stakeholders a student’s level of attained achievement of the course’s Essential Learning Outcomes. Grade reports should be in a format that can be easily understood by all stakeholders and reflect consistent criteria to determine a student’s level of attained achievement regardless of the classroom or school he/she is assigned.

The Six Core Beliefs of Evidence-Based Grading

Evidence is more precise than any formula.
We determine what students deserve.
We never fully realize curriculum without evidence-based practice.
Evidence-based grading improves team collaboration.
Communication with the community is essential.
We must take a postsecondary perspective.

Is EBR in our schools doing our kids any favors as they look ahead to college?

Said one [college] admissions counselor: "K-12 educators should help families understand this form of grading is better preparation for college than traditional grading." From "Getting a Fair Shot?" by Buckmiller & Peters, with contribution by Townsley (2018) in AASA, The School Superintendents Association.(See article in Parent's tab)

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