College & Career FAQ

How do colleges feel about Evidence-Based Reporting (EBR)?

Colleges want grade point averages to be an accurate reflection of student learning and understanding.  Grades should correlate to a student’s performance on college entrance exams.

Is there a problem transferring EBR to college for acceptance? 

No – students will still receive grades and a GPA for credit-bearing courses.

How does SBI/EBR help students be prepared for college? 

Identifying one's strengths and weaknesses as a learner, being self-motivated to meet course objectives, developing strong study habits, and mastering course standards are all aspects of this system that will help students in college.   

How does this practice prepare students for the 'real world'?  There are no retakes in the 'real world'.

It's only sensible to expect different things of students during the learning process than we expect of them when it's time to demonstrate final proficiency. Applying expectations for a high level of competency to students who are in the process of coming to know content is counterproductive, even harmful.

Those who claim to be preparing students for the working world by disallowing all redos forgets that adult professionals actually flourish through multiple opportunities to demonstrate understanding. Surgeons practice on cadavers before doing surgeries on live patients. Architects redesign building plans until they meet all the specifications listed or industry standards. Pilots rehearse landings and take-offs hundreds of times in simulators and in solo flights before flying with real passengers. Lawyers practice debate and analysis of arguments before litigating real cases. Teachers become much more competent and effective by teaching the same content multiple times, reflecting on what worked and what didn't work each time.  Students benefit from being given multiple situations in which they can show their learning of learning goals and targets, over time.

LSAT. MCAT. Praxis. SAT. Bar exam. CPA exam. Driver's licensure. Pilot's licensure. Auto mechanic certification exam. Every one of these assessments reflects the adult-level, working-world responsibilities our students will one day face. Many of them are high stakes: People's lives depend on these tests' validity as accurate measures of individual competence. People can reassess over and over for full credit.  It is 'real world' to encourage students to actively engage in learning in many ways, over time.