Standards Based Grading FAQs
What is Standards-based grading system?
In a Standards-based grading (SBG) system, teachers assess student mastery levels demonstrated during the reporting period and assign the appropriate performance level for each area measured. A student’s performance is measured against the standard, rather than simply being compared to other students in his/her class.
Cypress School District has four performance levels:
1
Not Meeting Standards: This mark is given when there is no growth and/or regression as indicated on assessments, classwork, projects, and other documented student work.
2
Working Toward Standards: This mark is given when there is progress towards mastery, but the student has not yet demonstrated proficiency on the standard(s) as indicated on assessments, classwork, projects, and other documented student work.
3
Meets Standards: This mark is given when a student has demonstrated mastery of a standard(s) and is meeting grade-level expectations as indicated on assessments, classwork, projects, and other documented student work.
4
Exceeds Standards: This mark is given when the student demonstrates he/she has mastered the grade-level standard(s) and exceeds expectation. A grade of “4” should be given when a student is not only scoring at high levels of mastery on classroom assessments but is able to extend learning to higher levels of application (projects, extended assignments, etc.).
Can a student get 3’s the first trimester?
Yes, a student is evaluated on the mastery of the standards to the point which the teacher has instructed.
Can a student get 4’s in the first trimester?
Yes, if the student has demonstrated mastery of the grade-level content standards AND demonstrated higher levels of the application at/or above grade-level.
What do you mean by “to the point which the teacher has instructed”?
There is an important difference between “to the point which the teacher has instructed” and end of year expectations. The performance will be determined based on the trimester expectations of the student and not necessarily the end of year expectation.
How do I know if a student is on track to meeting grade-level standards?
In order to know what progress students are making, teachers should identify and explain with their students what assignments, student work products, and assessments are most important in any given content area for measuring student progress. Teachers should provide students with an SBG performance level on the identified work. Teachers use the identified assignments, student work products, and assessments as evidence to make a final mark for each area on the report card at each trimester.
How are students to be assessed to determine student mastery?
Students are assessed on the development of skills and knowledge; what they know and can do, rather than their completion of tasks. Students are to be provided multiple opportunities to demonstrate their knowledge and are offered a variety of ways to demonstrate their learning using multiple measures that are done under the supervision of a classroom teacher:
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Classwork
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Projects
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Writing assignments, on-demand writing, and other written work
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Oral responses
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Participation in class, e.g., shared reading, small group work,
Math Talks, etc.
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Assessments: Unit Assessments/Weekly Assessments/Informal Assessment/Quizzes
Report cards will come home on November 16, 2018.
