What is Mastery-Based Grading

The mastery-based system helps target instruction, reinforcement, and enrichment opportunities for all students. It also provides students and families a clearer picture of what students should know and be able to do by the end of each grade level.

Mastery-based grading helps clearly communicate progress a student is making toward meeting content and skill standards by providing indicators of progress on specific content or skills rather than on types of activities (quizzes, homework, assignments). The system is tightly focused on tracking progress. In a mastery-based system, assessment is also viewed differently. Assessment is not seen as an ‘endgame,’ but rather a tool for students, teachers, and families to use to determine what a student needs to do in order to master course standards.

Students will be given classwork/assignments/homework throughout each unit. Students will be instructed to turn these forms of work in each time they complete them. At the end of each unit, students will be assessed on Fridays of every week or every other week, depending on the length of the unit. The following Monday students will be given their graded assessments back. The students will receive one of the following scores:

10-Mastery

9- Advanced

8-Proficient

7-Emerging

6-Not Yet

5-Incomplete

0-No Attempt

See the rubric below for specific scores and their meanings.

It is highly encouraged that students aim for scoring an 8 or better on each assessment. If students do not like the score that they receive and would like to increase their score they have the opportunity to retake the assessment for the unit. However, in order to retake the student must be sure that ALL of their work for their unit is turned in and in the gradebook. If it is not, they may see me to see what they are missing and complete all missing work. Students may retake any assessment any number of times that they would like in order to earn the score they desire.