What is Standards-Based Grading?

Students' most recent work is used to determine their level on the report card. The level reflects what they know or are able to do currently rather than an average of their performance throughout the quarter. Students' performance can be measured in many ways such as through tests, journal entries, and teacher observations. Student work that is sent home may comprise only a portion of the evidence that teachers use to determine students' performance levels.

It is important to remember students learn at different rates and in different ways. Imagine a child learning how to ride a bike and the natural development of these skills. It may look something like this...

Standards-based grading for academics follows the same principles. Thinking about it this way gives teachers, parents, and students a better idea of where students are in relation to the goal.

How is Standards-Based Grading seen on a Report Card?

Students' progress will be reported in relation to the end-of-year expectation for the standard. The following key will be used to determine progress:

If a student receives a level 4 (exceeds grade-level standard), he or she exceeds the grade-level expectation for the end of the year and shows an in-depth understanding of the correlating skills required of the next grade level.

If a student receives a level 3 (meeting grade-level standards), he or she shows consistent understanding/mastery of the content and skills required of the standard in relation to the end of the year.

If a student receives a level 2 (working toward grade-level standards), he or she is approaching mastery, but has not yet achieved it. Or, he or she may be inconsistent with showing understanding/mastery of the standard in relation to the end-of-year expectation.

If a student receives a level 1 (not meeting academic standards), he or she shows limited understanding/mastery of the content and skills required of the standard in relation to the end-of-year expectation.

Please note:

Scores given represent the student's performance for that trimester. While a student may have previously received a level 3 for a specific standard, if he or she does not continue to consistently show mastery, it is possible to receive a lower score.

Number grades should not be interpreted as a letter grade.  For instance, a 4 would not be considered an A.  Please remember that a level 3 shows the achievement of grade-level mastery.