Colin Costello

What is Standards-Based Grading?

Standards Based Grading is a grading method which encourages students to take control over their own learning and therefore their grade. It shifts the focus from earning points for completing assignments turning "stuff" in to demonstrating understanding of content. A Standards Based Grade represents what a student has learned instead of what they have done or completed.

What are Standards?

Standards or Learning Goals are sentences that tell students specifically what they need to be able to do in order to demonstrate understanding

Examples of these Learning Goals can be found on the class pages by unit

How are grades calculated? 

- Each learning goal is assessed by one or more questions and then given a rating based on the understanding demonstrated 

- Each learning goal will be assessed at least once during a unit.

- Individual proficiency ratings range from 0 to 4.

4      Superior understanding

3      Basic understanding

2      Some understanding

1      Struggling with understanding

0      No understanding or no evidence

How do I read the grades in the grade book?

- Grades can always be improved, by re-assessing on the learning goals

- Students may come to understand a given learning goal better over time, and they can demonstrate that improved understanding by retaking quizzes/tests

- Retakes allow for the opportunity to replace previous ratings on a specific learning goal(s) or test

- Students should fill out the retake form on their class page to set up a retake appointment and prepare themselves for the retake

- Retakes are not an identical assessment, but ask questions formatted in a similar manner to assess the student on their understanding

- Ratings for the learning goals will indicate where a student should focus their studying to improve their understanding, but they will also indicate where a student’s understanding is already strong.

How does this convert to letter grades?