Standards Based Grading

How is it different? Traditional Standards Based Grade for each assignment Grade may accidentally be focused more on one concept than another, e.g. if one concept has a project and another doesn’t Poor performance on one big assignment drastically affects grade Grade for each standard Grade reflects mastery of each learning objectively evenly and independently No one assignment dominates the grade (except the final exam) HW Project Quiz Test 5 20 10 100 4 13 9 85 1 2 3 4 5 10 6 9 8

Types of Standards Content Standards Science Standards Specific to each unit 60% of grade E.g. student can explain how DNA serves to pass on genetic traits Demonstrated in all units 20% of grade E.g. student can write a proper scientific procedure A traditional final exam comprises the remaining 20% of the grade

How is a grade calculated? Each standard has a scale of mastery associated with it You get several chances to show mastery of each objective E.g. exit slip, lab, quiz, test

The Scale Score Level Grade /10 Example 4 Exceptional Mastery 10 3 Connects to outside knowledge/other topics or goes above and beyond 3 Mastery 9 Thoroughly demonstrates mastery, can apply knowledge and skills 2 Partial Mastery 7.5 Some conceptual understanding or use of skills 1 Minimal Mastery 6 Recite vocabulary definitions No Mastery No knowledge or nothing turned in 0.25 0.5 0.75 1 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 2.25 2.5 2.75 3 3.25 3.5 3.75 4 4.5 5 5.5 6 6.25 6.75 7.25 7.5 7.75 8.25 8.75 9 9.25 9.5 9.75 10

Calculating a Score If last score you receive is the highest, congratulations! That is your score If last score is one of the 2 highest scores you receive, they are averaged If last score is not one of the 2 highest scores, you need to see Mr. Mahon during Ac Lab for a verbal quiz to determine your score

Example Standard 1.1 Quiz Test 1 2 3 Standard 1.2 Quiz Test 1.5 3 2 Exit Slip Quiz Test 1 2 3 Standard 1.2 Exit Slip Quiz Test 1.5 3 2 Standard 1.3 Exit Slip Quiz Test 2 3 1 Student gets a 3 (9/10) Student gets a 2.5 (8.25/10) Student sees Mr. Mahon Notice that a low score doesn’t hurt you, as long as you learn from it and improve on future assessments. You get feedback on exactly which standards you need to improve upon, to be ready for a test

How Are Assessments Graded? Sometimes the score may be calculated from a single (usually open-ended) response based on the level of mastery demonstrated Or a part of a project or lab for example Other times each score band might have its own questions Generally there aren’t level 4 questions, but rather a student must demonstrate exceptional mastery on a level 4 question

Things to Notice You don’t start out with 100% in the class and then “lose points”. Generally your mastery should increase, so your grade should be able to improve throughout each unit One bad performance can’t drag your grade down- if you demonstrate mastery later the grade isn’t affected There are no grades for lab, projects or tests but individual standards may be assessed

Example Lab Report Test Procedure (Science Standard 1) Graphs (Science Standard 2) Conclusion (Science Standard 3, Content Standard 1.1) Question 1.1 (open ended) Question 1.2.I (MC) Question 1.2.II (Short answer) Question 1.2.III (Sketch) Question 1.3 (open ended)

Benefits of Standards Based Grading Grade reflects your mastery of all objectives, is more objective You know what you need to work on to improve your grade and are given more direct feedback More opportunities to demonstrate mastery without a bad score harming your grade

Caveats You are expected to show mastery all year, and as such assessments can always include objectives from earlier units Your final grade for a standard is based on the last time it was assessed (can go up or down) You are expected to keep track of your progress on each objective. All data enters the gradebook, but you won’t have access to anything but the current score. If there is a mistake it is on you to produce the work to show that Gradebook is incorrect A 3 is what is expected of you on an assignment. A score above 3 will be difficult to obtain and will require truly exceptional mastery, meaning you are going above and beyond what we ask you to do. Notice that if you show mastery of every objective, you will have an A in the course, so scores above a 3 are not required to get an A