Standards Based Grading

Your child's progress each trimester will be reported using a Standards Based Report Card.  

What is a standards-based report card? 

A standards-based report card highlights the most important skills students should learn in each subject at a particular grade level. In our elementary school learning environment, students receive marks that report student progress toward meeting content and performance standards three times a year. Benchmarks for each of the trimester marking periods are used to determine if the student is progressing toward the end-of-year standards. 

What are the proficiency levels on the report card? 

The proficiency level represents a student’s progress on the report card. There are four categories, 1-4. 

Earning a “4” means the student has advanced understanding and exceeds standards. A student receiving a “4” demonstrates academically superior skills in that specific area. This student shows initiative, challenges himself or herself, and demonstrates this advanced knowledge at school. A “4” is difficult to obtain and indicates unusually high achievement. 

Earning a “3” means the student has proficient understanding and achieves standards. We want all of our students to reach a level “3.” A student receiving a “3” is right on track with our high academic expectations. A “3” is something to be celebrated! 

Earning a “2” means the student has basic understanding and approaching standards. A student receiving a “2” understands the basic concept or skill, but has not yet reached the proficient level. A “2” should indicate to parents that their child may need some extra help or extra time to practice/understand that concept or skill. 

Earning a “1” means the student has minimal understanding and needs support. A student receiving a “1” has academic delays according to our district standards, and interventions may be needed to learn and stay on track with district expectations. 

Students may also be grades as follows on behavior based set of standards: 

C= Consistently, U=usually, S=Sometimes, and I=Infrequently 

How do teachers determine proficiency levels? 

Teachers determine which proficiency level your child has earned by using a report card benchmark. A report card benchmark outlines exactly what your child needs to know or be able to do to earn a 4, 3, 2, or 1 on the report card. 

Throughout the trimester, teachers assess students. With the standards for that grade level in mind, they consider: knowledge of the child (How does this child learn best? In what way does this child communicate his/her learning?); evidence of student performance (work samples that have been collected, student performance on activities and assessments, teacher anecdotal notes); and, finally, knowledge of what the child is expected to know or be able to do (district curriculum and standards, report card benchmarks).  After going through this process, the teacher assigns a proficiency level for each line of the report card. 

More information can be found in the Parent Handbook, or by clicking here.