Standards-Based Grading Olympic Middle School School Board Presentation August 25, 2009

Why are we talking about this? OSPI School Improvement Assistance Program – year 3 OSPI School Improvement Assistance Program – year 3 Studying research and best practices – Robert Marzano, Ken O’Connor,… Studying research and best practices – Robert Marzano, Ken O’Connor,… Analyzing systems and programs Analyzing systems and programs Focus on learning: Not ‘what is easiest for teachers’, but ‘what is best for kids.’ Focus on learning: Not ‘what is easiest for teachers’, but ‘what is best for kids.’ Began looking at assessment and grading about two years ago. Began looking at assessment and grading about two years ago.

What “Standards-Based Grading” is. Grading on learning. Grading on learning. Grading student performance in relation to state and district standards. Grading student performance in relation to state and district standards. Grading on student performance at the end of a grading period. Grading on student performance at the end of a grading period.

What “Standards-Based Grading” is not. Averaging scores over time. Averaging scores over time. Grading on a collection of points. Grading on a collection of points. Grading on ‘getting things done.’ Grading on ‘getting things done.’ Grading on classroom behavior, participation, effort, attendance…. Grading on classroom behavior, participation, effort, attendance….

Current Reporting Systems Elementary Report card: Elementary Report card: Two pages Two pages 49 areas where students are evaluated 49 areas where students are evaluated Number system comparing students to grade level expectations Number system comparing students to grade level expectations Example… Example…

Current Reporting Systems Middle School Report card: Middle School Report card: 7 classes where students get a grade 7 classes where students get a grade Letter grades Letter grades Teachers give comments (from list) Teachers give comments (from list) Example… Example…

Our Goals: Provide better and more detailed information for parents Provide better and more detailed information for parents Provide better and more detailed information for students Provide better and more detailed information for students Create a system that ensures teachers are focusing on learning as a primary goal. Create a system that ensures teachers are focusing on learning as a primary goal.

What we have done so far. Created a 0-4 scoring scale for use in classroom and report card. Created a 0-4 scoring scale for use in classroom and report card. Separated ‘Learning Habits’ from ‘Learning’ grade. Separated ‘Learning Habits’ from ‘Learning’ grade. Worked with ESD113 and Kitty to create a report card for use this year. Worked with ESD113 and Kitty to create a report card for use this year.

Scoring Scale 4.0 In addition to 3.0 performance, the student demonstrates in-depth inferences and applications that go beyond what was taught. 3.5 In addition to 3.0 performance, the student demonstrates partial success at inferences and applications that go beyond what was taught. 3.0 There are no major errors or omissions regarding any of the information and/or processes (simple or complex) that were explicitly taught. 2.5 There are no major errors or omissions regarding the simpler details and processes, and partial knowledge of the more complex ideas and processes. 2.0 There are no major errors or omissions regarding the simpler details and processes, but there are major errors or omissions regarding the more complex ideas and processes. 1.5 The student demonstrates partial knowledge of the simpler details and processes, but there are major errors or omissions regarding the more complex ideas and processes. 1.0 With help, the student demonstrates a partial knowledge of the simpler details and processes and some of the more complex ideas and processes. 0.5 With help, the student demonstrates a partial understanding of some of the simpler details and processes, but not of the more complex ideas and processes. 0.0 Even with help, the student demonstrates no understanding or skill.

Scoring Scales for “Learning Habits” ParticipationWork CompletionBehaviorWorking in Groups 4.0In addition to level 3.0 performance, the student participates in ways not explicitly expected in class In addition to level 3.0 performance, the student goes beyond the requirements. In addition to level 3.0 performance, the student follows rules and procedures that have not been specifically required. In addition to level 3.0 performance, the student exhibits group maintenance and interpersonal skills that have not been explicitly identified. 3.0The student’s participation meets classroom expectations. The student hands in work on time and meets all requirements. The student’s behavior follows all classroom rules and procedures. In groups, the student exhibits group maintenance and interpersonal skills that have been identified. 2.0With some exceptions, the student’s participation meets classroom expectations. With some exceptions, the student hands in work on time and meets requirements. With some exceptions, the student’s behavior follows classroom rules and procedures. With some exceptions, the student exhibits group maintenance and interpersonal skills that have been identified. 1.0With help or prodding, the student’s participation meets classroom expectations. With help or prodding, the student hands in work on time and meets requirements. With help or prodding, the student’s behavior follows classroom rules and procedures. With help or prodding, the student exhibits group maintenance and interpersonal skills that have been identified. 0.0Even with help or prodding, the student’s participation does not meet classroom expectations. Even with help or prodding, the student does not hand in work on time or meet requirements. Even with help or prodding, the student’s behavior does not follow classroom rules or procedures. Even with help or prodding, the student does not exhibit group maintenance and interpersonal skills that have been identified.

Summary Letter Grade GradeAverage of skill scores A3.0 – 4.0 B2.5 – 2.99 C2.0 – 2.49 D1.0 – 1.99 F0.0 – 0.99 A summary letter grade will be given for each subject area at the end of each quarter. The letter grade will be an average of the skill grades for that subject.

It’s a work in progress… More work to be done on the report card. It will be finalized before end of first quarter. More work to be done on the report card. It will be finalized before end of first quarter. Continue studying assessment and grading practices. Continue studying assessment and grading practices. Biggest change will be how student work is assessed in the classroom on a daily basis. Biggest change will be how student work is assessed in the classroom on a daily basis.

Thank you for your time. Contact us if you have more questions.

Student 1 Student 2 Student 3 Student 4 Assessment Assessment Assessment Assessment Assessment Assessment Assessment Assessment Assessment Assessment Average (Mean)75 70