 Faculty Update

Update on work Why Change? What will be “different” next year?

DLT has been discussing since September/October Prioritized need by majority – 3 rd behind common language and learning about 2 nd order change Many decisions have been made – some from Admin.

“Often in grading we use old practices, not because of their proven merit, but simply because ‘we’ve always done it that way’ and never ask ‘why’”. (Guskey and Bailey, 2009) “To take inventory of our grading practices we need to ask: do we focus on learning by providing meaningful feedback”?

Reporting out by Grade Level Benchmark gives families information describing how well a student is performing based on a specific piece of content or skill.

Families will be provided more information about: What students are expected to learn (GLB’s) What a student KNOWS and what a students does NOT KNOW specific to each subject Work Habit behaviors important to learning

Performance on Grade Level Benchmarks has direct impact on students learning what they need to know to be successful at the next grade level.

Methods used to report and grade vary widely currently from one teacher to another, even among those who teach at the same grade level within the same school.

An overall grade is given for the course, not for individual content or skills. Example Social Studies = B Math = C+ Science = A

1. Report academic performance on each Grade Level Benchmark in selected areas* 2. Work Habits will be reported out separately for those also reporting out GLB’s* 3. Even the playing field by grading practice work as exactly that – practice and not punitive toward academic performance – no more than 25% of overall calculation. 4. Providing consistent grading practices and policies at each grade and common course.

 An overall grade will be given for each course in grades 3-12  A number code for each Grade Level Benchmark will be given for grades PK – 12*  A Work Habits number code will be given for grades PK – 12*  Encore areas will use the same coding system and/or marking system Example: 4 th Grade GLB #1 Utilizes components of maps/globes = 3 Overall Grade for Social Studies = B Work Habits Participates in class = 2 Turns in Work on Time = 3

Elementary – Math, Language Arts, Science and Social Studies, Special Education (where appropriate), GAT and ELL Middle School – Math, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, FCS, Technology, Special Education (where appropriate), and Art High School – Math, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, FCS, Industrial Technology, Art, Business, Foreign Language, Special Education (where appropriate) and AG

Yes – Grades 3-12 will still use letter grades Letter grades will be given and Grade Point Average (GPA) will be maintained. Grades will be based on academic performance related to the Grade Level Benchmarks

Yes With the adoption of the Common Core/Iowa Core, many schools are moving toward reporting out by “Standards” Some Iowa schools include: Ankeny, Norwalk, Johnston, College Community, Fort Dodge, Fairfield, Pleasant Valley, Bettendorf, Cedar Falls, Burlington, Marshalltown, Mt. Pleasant, Wapsie Valley, Webster City, Ballard, etc.

Work Habits are behaviors that support the learning process

Right now we are looking at following: Completes Work on Time Participates in Class Does Careful Work Demonstrates organizational skills Listens well Works Independently Follows directions

Practice Work is defined as: Work completed for practice on a skill/concept Students should be able to do the work independently Teachers will assign work directly related to the curriculum Practice Work will count for no more than 25% of the overall grade/GLB

Teachers will collaboratively determine grading policy Teachers will communicate grading policy at beginning of school year or at the start of each trimester

Professional Development includes: Grade book pilot in late winter/spring with at least 4 days of training built in for the trainers. On-going DLT and BLT building communication Train-the-trainer session grade book pre-service in fall for all teachers 1 st Trimester review of grade book

The Communication Plan Includes: Informational sessions – PAC, PTO, DAC, BOE Parent meeting Articles in local newspaper District website Information at registration Kindergarten Round-up Spring Parent/Teacher Conferences information Parent Portal Meet the Teacher Night in the Fall, Open Houses

 Grade Level Benchmark reporting is scheduled for the 2011 – 2012 school year  Not all areas will report out the first year  A Grading and Reporting Guideline Book will be available to parents and teachers  A Complete list of Grade Level Benchmarks and Components will be available and on-line access provided