Standards Based Grading

What is SBG (Standards Based Grading)


A system of instruction, assessment, grading and reporting based on student demonstration of mastery levels (E, M, P, N) for each of the grade-appropriate (or modified for special education students) standards. Although grading is in the name, it should be a mindset and a way of teaching - “A Standards Based Classroom” is the goal.


Some of the Most Important Advantages


  • Students can always improve

  • Beginning grades don’t follow and weigh them down

  • Attitudes and motivation are stronger with less giving up

  • Everyone involved has a better understanding of specific standards and which ones require more attention

  • There are no overall subject grades. Every child has strengths and they are clear in this grading system. Traditionally, a weakness in comprehension for example, could weigh the entire ELA grade down, downplaying the strengths in phonics

What are our Performance Levels?


Excelling Beyond the Standard (E):

Students at the Excels Level:

  • demonstrate a broad in-depth understanding of complex concepts and skills

  • make abstract, insightful, complex connections

  • demonstrate the ability to apply knowledge and skills effectively and independently by applying efficient strategies to real-world situations

  • communicate effectively and thoroughly, with sophistication


Meeting the Standard (M):

Students at the Meeting level:

  • can usually demonstrate understanding independently

  • make meaningful connections among important ideas or concepts and provide supporting evidence of understanding

  • apply concepts and skills to solve problems using appropriate strategies

  • communicate effectively


Progressing Toward the Standard (P)

Students at the Progressing level:

  • may be receiving support and interventions

  • demonstrate a partial understanding of basic concepts and skills

  • make simple or basic connections among ideas, providing limited evidence of understanding

  • apply concepts and skills to routine problem-solving situations

  • communicate in a limited fashion


Needs Improvement (N)

Students at the Needs Improvement level:

  • have received support and multiple interventions

  • demonstrate a minimal understanding of basic concepts and skills

  • occasionally make obvious connections among ideas providing minimal evidence of understanding

  • have difficulty applying basic knowledge and skills

  • communicate in an ineffective manner


Insufficient Evidence (I)

Students with an Insufficient Evidence:

  • Have not submitted enough evidence to determine a performance level


Things to Remember


  • Excelling is not the equivalent of an A. Meeting the standard is always the goal.

  • A students’ individual progress is not the same as progressing toward standard.