Standards Based Grading
School District of Superior
In the School District of Superior, we approach assessment and reporting as an important part of a student’s understanding of his/her progress as a learner, as well as a tool for communicating progress to parents, colleges, and the community. In order to ensure that grades accurately reflect student learning, we are implementing a proficiency-based grading system in all classes. This system separates academic grades from reports on student behavior.
Over the course of the last several years, we have begun to critically examine our grading practices and to study methods of grading that more accurately reflect and report student learning. Administration has encouraged interested teachers to learn about and try Standards-Based Grading. It will look somewhat familiar as this is the type of reporting system our elementary schools use. The intent of using Standards-Based Grading is to provide accurate, meaningful and consistent communication to students and parents about learning.
A standards-based grading system certifies a student’s demonstration of performance on a standard by the end of a grading period. The essential question answered in a standards-based system is: To what degree has the student demonstrated the necessary knowledge or skill as described in the standard?
We will continue to do the following:
Use letter grades.
Have a grade point average.
Use Powerschool as our reporting tool.
Reassessment and
late work
Reassessment information and the reassessment form.
Standards Based Grading Late Work Guidelines
At SMS and SHS, students are expected to complete coursework within the timelines outlined by the teachers. However, extensions for submission of assignments are based on individual circumstances, after a conversation between teacher and student has occurred. In a situation where a student wants an opportunity to reassess and demonstrate learning, students may be allowed to retake assessments based on teacher approval.
Proficiency Scale and grades
Grade Scale
Conversion Table - Superior High School
The Spartan Grade
Report Cards and Progress Reports
Superior High school Quarterly Progress Report
Students in grades 9-12 will receive a Standards-Based Grading progress report at the end of each Quarter. Students will receive a traditional letter grade at the end of each semester.
Superior middle school report card
Students in grades 6-8 will receive a Standards-Based Grading report card 4 times a year.
Resources
O’Connor, K. (2009). How to grade for learning, K-12. Los Angeles: Sage Publications.
O’Connor, K. (2011). A repair kit for grading: 15 fixes for broken grades (2nd ed). Boston:Pearson
Wormeli, R. (2006). Fair isn’t always equal: Assessing and grading in the differentiated classroom. Portland, ME: Stenhouse Publishers.