Standards-Based Grading

Cons of traditional grading

· Inconsistency between teachers on what factors are included in grades

· Inconsistency between teachers on what weight each grade receives

· Achievement grades often include behaviors and efforts

Essential Questions

· What do students need to know and be able to do?

o   District Curriculum

o   State Standards

· How will we know they have learned it?

o   Formative Evaluation: Assessment for learning – checking learning along the way; teacher-made quiz

o   Summative Evaluation: Assessment of learning – final check – include on report card; consistent between schools

Change in thinking

· Teachers teach to the test – because the test is the culmination of what they have

   learned.

· Explain to students what is expected.

· Behaviors, attendance, effort is separated from achievement grade.

Achievement Marks

Symbol	Definition
4	Exceeds: Student demonstrates a thorough understanding of facts, concepts, and/or principles, making in-depth inferences, applications, and connections
3	Meets: Student meets grade level expectations with minimal teacher support.
2	Approaching: Student is developing and often depends upon teacher for assistance.
1	Area of Concern: Student is not meeting grade level expectations.

Effort Marks

Symbol	Definition
E	Excellent: Consistently and independently demonstrates behaviors, attitude, & effort toward the goal.
S	Satisfactory: Generally demonstrates behaviors, attitude & effort toward the goal with a few reminders.
N	Needs Improvement: Needs frequent reminders to demonstrate appropriate behavior, attitude or effort toward the goal.

Grading Scale – applicable for 4^th & 5^th only

Grade	% Cutoff	Rubric Eq.
A+	100	4
A	93	3.8-3.9
A-	90	3.4-3.7
B+	88	3.1-3.3
B	83	3.0
B-	80	2.6-2.9
C+	78	2.1-2.5
C	73	2.0
C-	70	1.6-1.9
D+	68	1.1-1.5
D	63	1.0
D-	60	.6-.9
F	Less than 60	Less than .6

Report Card K, 1, 2, 3

Fine Arts Music	1	2	3	4
Effort		E		S
Knows the elements and expressive qualities of music		4		3
Understands how works of music are produced through creating and performing		3		3
Recognizes the role of music in everyday life, past and present		4		3

Report Card 4, 5

Fine Arts Music	1	2	3	4
Overall		A		A-
Effort		E		S
Knows the elements and expressive qualities of music		4		3
Understands how works of music are produced through creating and performing		3		3
Recognizes the role of music in everyday life, past and present		4		3