Standards Based Grading

1. Standards Based Grading

2. How is it different? Traditional Standards Based Grade for each standard Grade reflects mastery of each learning objectively evenly and independently No one assignment dominates the grade (except the final exam) • 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

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

4. How is a grade calculated? Both content & practices have a scale of mastery associated with it You get several chances to show mastery of each objective E.g. exit slip, lab, quiz, test

5. The Scale

6. 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 your teacher during Ac Lab for a verbal quiz to determine your score

7. Example Student gets a 3 (9/10) Student gets a 2.5 (8.25/10) Student sees their teacher 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

8. 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 3 question

9. 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

10. Example Lab Report Test 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) • Procedure (Science Practices1) • Graphs (Science Practices 2) • Conclusion (Science Practices 3, Content Objective 1.1)

11. 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

12. 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