1. An explanation of standards based grading in science this year

2. What is standards based grading?  In standards based grading, your grade is based on whether or not you know the specific standards (learning targets) as opposed to just an average of class work.  Standards based grading is grading you on what you demonstrate that you know, as opposed to what work you have done.

3. Say What?  Each until will have learning targets.  Example: Unit 1- Scientific Inquiry #Target 1I can identify basic steps of the scientific method. 2I can make precise and accurate scientific measurements. 3I can design an experiment to test a hypothesis. 4I can organize and interpret data into tables. 5I can organize data into an appropriate and correctly labeled graph. 6I can interpret and analyze graphs to draw a conclusion. 7I can write a detailed scientific conclusion to an experiment.

4. Practice  During the unit, we will practice those targets.  We will have worksheets, activities, notes, labs, quizzes, etc. to practice.  I will give you feedback on how you are doing on your assignments. What you need to improve on, what you are doing well.  YOU MUST TRY TO IMPROVE!!

5. Determining MASTERY  At the end of the unit, when I think you should be ready and we have practiced, practiced, practiced… there will be a test.  Each test will have 3 questions for each target.  If you get all 3 questions correct, you get a 3 for mastering that target.  2 correct= 2 (need to improve).  0-1 correct= 1 (lacks basic understanding)

6. Standards Grades  3= Mastery  2= Developing  1= Basic knowledge  The grades you get on your standards is 80% of your overall science grade!!!!

7. Assignments  True standards based grading gives you no grades for anything else.  I want to be able to keep track of what you have done, so I am making assignments 20 % of overall grades.

8. Assignment grades  Since it is just practice, I am not assigning a percentage grade, but rather a grade based on effort.  Also don’t want to get confused with mastery, so not 1,2,3.

9. Assignment grades  30= completed assignment and showed effort.  20= completed part of assignment and showed effort.  10- completed very little of assignment or did not show effort.  Missing*= Did not do/ turn in… does count as a zero in the gradebook.

10. Example 1- Suzie  Suzie scores all 3’s showing mastery of each learning target, but does NO classwork/ homework.  Her average would be an 80% C

11. Example 2- John  John scores 1’s for all of his targets, but does all of his assignments.  His score would be 47/F

12. Example 3- Juan  Juan scores a combination of 2’s and 3’s for his targets.  Juan does most of his assignments and gets 30’s, but does score a 20.  His grade would be in the 80’s B/C

13. What if you score a 1?  If you score less than a 2 on a target, you MUST work to improve that target… 1’s are NOT ACCEPTABLE!!  If you get a 2, you can CHOOSE to stop working on that target, but remember that if you have all 2’s and complete ALL assignments, you would have a 73/D.

14. How do I improve?  If you score a 1 or 2 on a target and want to improve, you can practice some more/ study some more and retake that portion of the test (in a different form).  First test is multiple choice.  Retakes are written.  There is no penalty for not getting a 3 on the first try!!

15. How will I check my grade?  If you do not know how to get on Infinite Campus to check your grades, you can see Mr. Staker or I can try to get you directions.  There is a link from the school website.  I will update you on your grade periodically, but will not really have time to get you your grade on a moments notice while I am trying to have class.

16. Bottom Line… DO YOUR BEST… the 1 st time!!!