Is your scholar at grade level?

Thoughts about Grades

Basic Definition of "At Grade Level"

A scholar has mastered at least 80% of grade level standards. 

• 80% is about a 3.0 grade point average (GPA) or B- grade, the minimum GPA to be accepted into college.  

• "Grade Level Standards" are the number of standards your scholar should have mastered as of their grade (1st, 2nd, etc.) and time of year (beginning, middle, end).

• If your scholar wants to go to a competitive college, then they must aim for above grade level.

• For more information on selecting a target grade level, see the "More on At Grade Level" section on the bottom of this page.

Why should parents check their scholar's grade level?

Since January 2022 Dingle PTA has been asking, researching, and practicing what parents most need to know to support their children's learning in elementary school.  Though there is a list of things parents need to know, we found that - just like for teachers - supporting a child begins with understanding what the child needs to learn and what the child has already learned.  Checking "Grade Level" is a simple way to do that.  

We also know from our own parent surveys and national parent surveys, that the majority (just about all) parents believe they know their child's grade level, but actually do not. Parents generally overestimate their child's grade level scores.   Parents must look at the actual scores and understand what those scores mean.  In our observations, once parents see the actual grade level, they take action, including modifying how they support their scholar. 

Practice Checking Grade Level at Home

1. Download these progress trackers:

   • Kindergarten-2nd i-Ready English, i-Ready Math, and Accelerated Reader

   • 3rd-6th i-Ready English, i-Ready Math, and Accelerated Reader

2. Download these practice instructions: 

   • Kindergarten-2nd

   • 3rd-6th

3. Follow the instructions to practice using the progress trackers

* In the 2023-2024 school year, Dingle is not assessing Kindergarten on i-Ready.  You can practice with your scholar anyway.

Get Your Scholar's i-Ready Scores

1. Log into your child's school Chromebook with your child's username and password

2. Click iReady from the Woodland JUSD SSO Portal webpage (should automatically appear)

3. Click Reading (or Math)

4. Click My Progress

5. Click Completed Work

6. Scroll down until you see "Diagnostic" and you'll see your child's score (write it down)

* Do the "practice" section above to find out what your scholar's i-Ready scores mean.

Talking with your Scholar about their Grade Level

i-Ready provided this downloadable tip sheet.  Highlights:

• Consider your scholar's needs and personality, adjust the conversation accordingly

• Approach the conversation as a partnership with your scholar

• Explain the purpose of assessments, like "We know what you already know and what you still need to learn.  Assessments gives us information we will use to set goals. ”

• Keep the conversation grounded in data, but provide context, like “We are looking at your data so we can help you learn and reach your goals.”

• Encourage your scholar to take ownership over their goals and next steps by setting a positive tone, pausing to let them reflect, and helping them brainstorm ideas.

• Focus on the scholar's individual performance and goals. Avoid making comparisons to peers.

• Ensure a scholar's goals are not limited to scores.

• Suggest a broad range of actions to the scholar that include effective habits (e.g., staying focused, taking notes, and asking for help) and measurable actions (e.g., lessons completed, Percent of Lessons Passed).

• Use the conversation to motivate the scholar to learn.

• Follow up after your conversation to help keep the scholar committed to their plan. Consider visibly tracking their progress at home.

Tell us and WJUSD that you checked your scholar's grade level!

Please submit your anonymous confirmation here.   Report your check in three times each year per scholar (fall, winter, and spring assessments).  Dingle PTA is reporting how many scholars' had their parents check their grade level.  The measure lets Dingle PTA, Dingle school, and the WJUSD know if grade level resources and training are working. 

More on i-Ready Scoring

• Compare Your Child's i-Ready Scores to National Student Ranking (2023-2024)

• i-Ready Score Placement "Grade Level" Tables (2032-2024)

• i-Ready Website

Use Multiple Assessments

Educators recommend getting scores from multiple tests.  Do not use only one assessment to determine grade level.  Therefore, in addition to i-Ready, look at report cards, the annual California State Assessment (CAASPP starting in the 3rd grade), and/or your own practice tests.  Here are some tests that scholars can take at home: 

• CAASPP Online Practice Tests Portal

• SmarterBalanced (CAASPP) Practice Tests

• NAEP Online Practice Tests Portal and NAEP Sample Questions Booklets (exemplars)

More on "At Grade Level"

No universal measure of "at Grade Level"

There is no universal measure of "at grade level", which is why it's important for parents and scholars to reflect on the scholars' destination (goals).  To illustrate, "in describing the NAEP [national exam] Proficient level, reports shall emphasize that the policy definition is not intended to reflect 'grade level' performance expectations, which are typically defined normatively and can vary widely by state and over time." - National Assessment Governing Board

For more information:

• 'Proficient' on California's state exams (CAASPP) is lower than the 'Proficient' level on the national exam (NAEP) by San Diego State University

• Process to define 'Proficient' on the national exam (NAEP) by the National Assessment Governing Board in the US DOE

"At Grade Level" for specific destinations

Find the minimum (or higher) grades or test scores for your scholar's destination.  For example, if a scholar is intending to go to college, then find on the internet:

• national GPA ranking for incoming freshman at the college(s)*

• minimum GPA the college(s) accept

• average incoming freshman GPA of the college(s)

* For example, UC Davis's incoming freshman rank 90% and higher nationally on their GPA.  If your scholar's destination is to go to UC Davis, then set the scholar's "at grade level" goal to be 90% or higher on their iReady diagnostic ranking.

"At Grade Level" for non-specific destinations

These were found in various state, national, and exemplary school resources.  Select one or more of the following:

1. Having 75-80% or more of the standards scored 3 or 4 on an end-of-year report card 

2. Having a 3.0 or higher GPA

3. Receiving a "proficient" or higher ranking on the California state exam (CAASPP)

4. Getting a 75-80% or higher national ranking on iReady diagnostic exams