Standards Based Grading FAQ
1. Q: What is Standards Based Grading?
A: In a standards-based system, teachers report what students know and are able to do in relationship to the Ohio and Common Core Standards in each content/subject area. This allows for teachers, students, and parents to better isolate in what areas each student is having difficulty and in which areas students are doing well. Standards-based grading sums up a student’s individual growth on specific content standards.
2. Q: What is the purpose of Standards Based Grading?
A: To enhance student growth by providing clear, focused, and accurate feedback about a student’s mastery of a specific standard.
3. Q: What are the benefits of a Standards Based Grading System?
A: 1. It clearly communicates a student’s strengths and needs. 2. Allows for focused reflection. 3. Allows each student an opportunity for growth on his/her own timeline.
4. Q: How does Standards Based Grading differ from a traditional grading system?
A: In the traditional grading system elements such as work completion, effort, and participation have often been factored into student grades. Although these may be important factors in regards to a student’s overall growth, they are not Academic Standards and thus will not be calculated into a student’s overall grade as part of the standards based grading system.
5. Q: Will my child’s grade look different in Progress Book?
A: There will only be two types of items listed in progressbook - item type #1 will be the standards which are assessed; item type #2 will be points for classwork/homework/participation. There will be between 5-9 standards assessed each quarter. The grades for these standards will be worth 80% of the student’s final grade. The grades for classwork/homework/participation will be worth 20% of the student’s final grade. These will be averaged to reach a student’s quarter grade.
6. Q: What is reassessment and why is it necessary?
A: The ultimate goal is high levels of student growth. In order to accomplish this goal, students will have the opportunity to be reassessed. If the student demonstrates a higher level of mastery, their grade is changed to reflect this new level.
7. Q: How will the 0 - 4 point scale be converted to the more traditional 100 point scale?
A: Formative Assessment and Standards-Based Grading by Robert J. Marzano, p. 110
SCALE SCORE PERCENTAGE SCORE
4 100
3.5 95
3 90
2.5 80
2 70
1.5 65
1 60
Student Initiated Reassessment Procedure
- One attempt per student per day.
- Any reassessment attempt should be treated as a testing situation and taken seriously.
- Students must notify the teacher once the reassessment has been submitted. Notification must include the level and standard which the reassessment addresses.
- Reassessments will be allowed until 1 week prior to the last day of the quarter, with the exception of reassessments on the last standard included in that quarter’s grade.
- The teacher reserves the right to deny a reassessment request if he or she believes that preparation for the reassessment has been insufficient. For example, we may deny a reassessment request if preparation for an assessment (ie. writing assignment or word problems) was not completed or correct.