More accurate, equitable, and aligned.
A grade is a reflection of a student's current location on their learning journey.
Accurate.
Grades need to be a valid indicator of academic proficiency. They are not all-encompassing, life-defining statements. They provide a path for growth with clear, direct, actionable student feedback.
Equitable.
Grades are not a system of rewards and punishments. Because SBG separates behavior from academic achievement, it is a much more fair and equitable practice that, in turn, provides greater transparency about learning to students, parents, and teachers alike. At FCCPS, we understand that learning is a journey and that not every student moves at the same pace. But ultimately, we believe every student can reach the goal.
Aligned.
In the IB program, assessment is meant to support and encourage student learning. Grades are based on student understanding of the whole course, not individual components. SBG is a therefore a natural extension of the pedagogical philosophy of the IB program.
How it works
Standards-based grading (SBG) is a method for teachers to measure how students are are performing on a set of clearly defined learning targets called standards. These standards are the academic skills your child should know or be able to do by the end of the school year.
Additionally, because SBG separates behavior from academic standards, student and parent have a much clearer picture of learning.
Traditional grading typically averages all of the work and other subjective factors that a student has done over a grading period. Standards-Based Grading removes extraneous factors and solely focuses on mastery. Using a body of evidence, an SBG system assesses a student’s overall work and their most recent work so it is more a genuine reflection of learning.
