1. forsyth.schoolwires.com Ways People Use Grades Communication to parents and others Student self-evaluation Select, identify, or group students Provide incentives Evaluate the effectiveness of instructional programs Provide evidence of students lack of effort or inappropriate responsibility Thomas Guskey, ASCD Conference, 2005

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4. Why Change? Growing emphasis on standards and performance assessments Demand for more and better information about student learning progress Advancement in technology allows for more efficient reporting of detailed information Grading and Reporting recognized as one of educators most important responsibilities Growing gap between our knowledge base and common practice in grading and reporting Need for validity Need for reliability

5. forsyth.schoolwires.com Weaknesses of Traditional Grading Validity (Does not measure what it is supposed to) Reliability (Is not consistent between classes or schools) Student Motivation and Engagement (learning stops when most students see a grade) Inadequate information Fails to inform students of ways to correct and improve Provides a road-block for teachers to individualize instruction (both remediation and enrichment)

6. forsyth.schoolwires.com This Happens in a Traditional System Student who has demonstrated mastery of ALL of the standards, but fails the class Student who has demonstrated mastery of only SOME of the standards, but passes the class Student who turns in everything and follows every direction and makes an A Student who fails every test and passes the class Student who does well on every test and does poorly in the class Students who would receive different grades for the same coursework with another teacher Student who takes a course and who do not get exposed to all of the standards required Student who does well in a class and fails the ISAT or ECA

7. forsyth.schoolwires.com The average doesnt tell the real story, does it?

8. forsyth.schoolwires.com Complete information about student achievement of standards Clear expectations for parents and students Consistent accountability to high standards Grades assigned based on clear criteria and multiple assessments Validity and Reliability Academic grade only reflects student progress / achievement of standards Reports non-academic topics, such as effort and behavior, separately Should provide predictions as to achievement on standardized tests Increased student involvement, engagement and achievement

9. forsyth.schoolwires.com Improve Student Engagement Improve Student Achievement Increase Accountability Provide Valid Grading Provide Reliable Grading Align our practices to the Idaho State Standards of Achievement

10. forsyth.schoolwires.com Key Researchers Robert Marzano Rick Stiggins Dylan Black Paul Wiliam Jay McTighe Grant Wiggins Ken OConnor John Hattie Susan Brookhart Tom Guskey Recommended Reading: Hows My Kid Doing?: A Parents Guide to Grades, Marks, and Report Cards by Thomas R. Guskey (2002)