THMS
Grading Guide

Standards based grading

What is a Standard?

A standard communicates intended learning in a curriculum area. The standard or learning target describes the essential learning that all students must learn and show evidence of mastery. Standards are often connected to short-term objectives that students work through to meet the standard.

• We will define the standard as the skill or level of understanding we want students to attain. 

• We will use the term learning target as the learning steps students take to attain the standard. 

Standards/Learning Target:

• Reflect rigor and higher-level thinking

• Are written in language that is understandable to students and their families

• They are introduced to students at the beginning of a unit of study and are referred to frequently throughout so that students are informed (receive feedback) about academic expectations and where they are learning the information.

Habits of success

We believe that developing a student’s character and work habits is as important as his/her academic achievement. In addition to receiving a grade or score for the academic work (standards) done in class, students will receive a score for Habit for Success/Approaches to Learning in each class. These habits will be clearly communicated to students and parents.  Teachers will give students regular feedback on their progress toward Habits for Success/Approaches to Learning and will give students regular opportunities to assess themselves.