Standards Based Grading
The teachers of Summit Lakes, along with staff throughout our district, are evaluating the merits of "Standards-Based" grading in comparison to the traditional grading system familiar to most of us, educators and parents alike. Below is information related to standards-based grading.
What is standards-based grading?
In a standards-based system, teachers report what students know and are able to do. The system includes:
The improvement of student achievement in all content areas,
The mastery of defined learning targets instead of the accumulation of points,
The reporting of student achievement toward meeting learning targets at a given time by reflecting on mounting evidence based on various forms of assessments,
A record keeping system that provides teachers with information that allows them to adjust learning practices to meet the needs of students, and
A system that encourages student reflection and responsibility.
Why standards-based grading?
The purpose of standards-based grading is to raise student achievement by clearly communicating students' progress toward learning targets. Standards-based grading aligns grading with the state academic standards as measured by consistent and accurate student achievement data and common criteria for grading. SBG also accurately communicates achievement of learning targets to students, parents and educators. The influence of positive and consistent work habits on student learning is reported separately from the academics.
How does it work?
Traditional grading averages a student's achievement data with other characteristics, such as work habits. Standards-based grading removes extraneous factors and focuses solely on a student’s academic achievement and continued mounting evidence that indicates a true assessment of the child’s present attainment of the learning targets. Other characteristics are reported separately.
How is it different?
The student’s grade more accurately represents the progress toward mastery of standards than traditional grading does. Subject areas are subdivided into big ideas related to standards and their respective learning targets that students need to learn or master. Each target is assessed. Scores from activities that are provided solely for practice will not be included in the final assessment of the learning target. The influence of positive and consistent work habits on student learning is reported separately from the academics.