Secondary Standards-Based Grading and Reporting Handbook

I think the idea of standards based grading is really interesting. When I was a student, there were many times where I saw people’s grades badly affected because they did not turn in a few assignments, resulting in zeros. Whether not turning homework in was out of laziness or other circumstances, A students became C students and their mastery or knowledge of the material was not reflected in their grade. I like that with standards based grading, the zeros would not negatively impact a grade and only the most recent, relevant coursework would. The handout we read gave an example about a student who, with normal grading, would have failed a course. With standards based grading, he got a C+. I think the difference in that student’s mindset on school would be incredible. He wouldn’t have to retake the course because later on down the line when he understood the material better or started taking the class seriously, he would have shown that he understands the content.

Our students’ grades should have meaning. Their work should have a purpose and demonstrate what they know or don’t know. I think standards based grading reflects this idea. I think if you asked most students k-12 what the differences are between an A, B, C, D, or F, they would give you a vague answer or wouldn’t know. I only say this because as I was thinking about the differences, I don’t have great answers to give. Not really knowing what a grade means or reflects is an issue if you’re a teacher, student or parent. I appreciate how clear the assessment scale is for standards based grading and I appreciate that it is student centered. I recently observed a few classes at Ferris and one of the English teachers told me that for the entire semester, he only has about ten assignments in his gradebook. He said that he gives the students plenty of work that he could grade, but what’s the point? Why would he grade their practice and their mistakes while they’re learning? He looks at their homework and assess how his students can improve, but he only grades the end work that shows what the student has learned. Even if standards based grading isn’t implemented in a school I work at in the future, I think this system of only grading specific assignments can work in a similar way.