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.