Why are we changing to a standards-based grading system?

We are changing because we want to improve achievement for all students. Research shows that standards-based grading helps students learn more effectively through improved feedback.

What are the purposes of standards-based grading?

The purposes of standards-based grading are:

• to improve student learning
• to provide clear communication to students and parents regarding student progress toward learning outcomes in a way that is accurate, fair, specific and timely
• to provide information to students and parents regarding work habits and behavior separate from the information provided about academic skills

What's the difference between the traditional "A" through "F" grading system and a standards-based reporting system?

Traditional Grading

• A, B, C, D, F represent percentage of points accumulated
• Non-academic factors affect grades, such as participation, attendance, late work, etc.
• Everything is graded and averaged together
• Early assignments can skew the final grade
• Reports a single grade for each class

Standards-Based Grading

• 4, 3, 2, 1 represent student performance in relation to specific standards
• Based on state standards
• A report of what students know and are able to do
• Reflect academic performance only
• Behavioral information (Citizenship) reported separately

Is a 4 similar to an A?

Not exactly. It might make sense to convert the levels of proficiency to the traditional grading system but we avoid doing this because we are no longer averaging learning. In standards- based learning, we describe what a student has learned and to what level.

• 0 the student has not yet produced sufficient evidence for the teacher to evaluate their learning,
• 1 with help the student is still not able to meet the standard,
• 2 with help the student is able to meet the standard,
• 3 the student has met the standard and can do it without help,
• 4 the student has met the standard and can do it consistently.

How will I know if my student is on track throughout the year?

Just like in previous years, the classroom teacher will use assignments, assessments, and observations to determine how your student is doing. In the past you may have asked, “How is my student doing in Math?” This question still applies; however, your student’s teacher will now be able to provide detail about the standards that are included within math which will provide you more useful information.

What about homework? Does it count? How will students understand the importance of homework if it isn't part of the final grade?

The purpose of homework is practice. Practice is important, but homework will only impact the final scores within the standards-based grading system to a small percent. (Eventually, in standards based grading it is just practice and the assessments are the grade.) Here is a comparison to learning to drive. If a student is learning to drive on a learner’s permit, they are practicing the skill of driving. After practicing for a length of time, the student would then need to pass the driver’s exam in order to get a Utah Driver’s License. Only the driver’s exam counts for whether they pass or not - the practice is not considered. When the student finally earns the driver’s license (similar to reaching a learning outcome), their license does not reflect all of the mistakes they made during practice. It only reflects that they have attained the standard of driving skills that our state expects from those to which we give a driver’s license (i.e., the student does not get a D- on their driver’s license if they made a lot of mistakes while learning to drive).

If students get several chances to show that they have mastered a learning outcome, how will this teach students that "in the real world" they must do their best the first time?

The ultimate goal for students at Mount Logan is student learning. That is also the purpose of standards-based grading. Standards-based grading provides teachers, students, and parents with information as to how a student is doing on specific learning outcomes. From this information, teachers, students and parents can make decisions that will improve student learning on specific learning goals. Students learn at different rates and may have a poor assessment performance on any given day for a variety of reasons. As such, students are given multiple opportunities to show mastery. In truth, this is almost always how things work in the real world. People are given multiple opportunities to show their skills on:

• Driver's license exams
• ACT
• GRE
• even employee evaluations in the business world
• etc.

Think about it, for the most part when employees are evaluated at work, they are not evaluated on how they did on one performance. They are instead evaluated based upon where they are at the present time in regards to company expectations. It is not “one and done”, but instead an evaluation based upon multiple observations and job performance over time with their most recent performance given the most weight.