Principles of Standards-Based Grading

Grades should communicate students' current levels of learning based on standards.

• Proficiency levels are used to communicate learning levels (proficient plus, proficient, developing, emerging) on individual standards. 

Homework should serve as ungraded practice.

• Points for homework are based on doing  rather than learning. 

• "Homework" is individual practice--not necessarily work completed at home.

• Ungraded practice allows students to practice and learn from mistakes without having their mistakes while practicing lower their grade. 

Students should have multiple opportunities to demonstrate their learning.

• Students' learning takes place at different rates, depending on each student.

• Encourage students to continually reassess their learning to demonstrate increased levels of learning.

• Semester tests are student's final reassessment opportunity to demonstrate learning.