PUSD Elementary Grading CommitteeReport

Timeline of Events Spring 2011: Surveyed elementary teachers

Fall 2011: Provided 3rd-8th grade broad grading template and new Pinnacle grade book training (1st-12th)

Fall-Winter 2011: Conducted K-8 elementary grading forums

Spring 2012: Grading Committee worked and established a portal site

Goals of Committee

Create Common Grading Templates for Grade Levels/Subject Areas

Create District Guidelines for Teachers

Determine Implications and Make Recommendations for Next Steps

Research-based!

“If you wanted to make just one change that would immediately reduce student failure rates, then the most effective place to start would be challenging prevailing grading practices.”

-Douglas Reeves

Research-based!

“Grades should, first of all, be accurate…they shouldn't include nonacademic factors and they shouldn't be calculated using averages.

Second, they should be consistent, which schools and districts can ensure through clarity of purpose, the use of performance standards, and clear policies and procedures.

Third, they should be meaningful. Fourth, they must be supportive of learning.”

- Ken O'Connor and Rick Wormeli

The Goal of Grading

Grading is a form of communication and feedback.

Feedback is a VERY powerful instructional technique, maybe the most powerful

Accurate, fair, specific and timely feedback has the greatest impact on student achievement

Douglas Reeves

Elements of Grading

2011

The Purpose of Grading

“The purpose of grading is to inform students, parents and others of the students’ progress toward the achievement of educational objectives. Grades are to reflect learning, i.e., student achievement toward mastery of standards-aligned course outcomes. Grades and credit, are not to be awarded for any other purpose.”

PUSD Grading CriteriaAssessing student academic achievement and computing grades are necessary in order to:

promote instructional alignment with state/district outcomes.

ensure that grades reported provide valid and reliable information.

provide the clearest possible communication with teachers, students and parents.

develop consistency from teacher to teacher, class to class, and school to school.

Committee Pre-work

Utilizing the Portal, committee members each completed 4 assignments prior to 1st meeting.

Committee members were engaged in activities related to the assignments in order to establish common ground.

Grading Guidelines

K-12 Consistency 3rd- 8th Guidelines Arts Guidelines K-2 Report Card revisions and common

assignments with common grading

Amanda Hiter; Angela Coughlin; Angela Griedl ; Ashley Enos; Barbara Barcus; Barbara Robinson ; Benjamin Smith; Bethany Proctor ; Betty Blake; Brian Mabee; Cameron Kisicki; Carri Davies; Carrie Chagolla; Casandra Barry-Laumann; Catharine Guzman; Cathy Widick; Chris Knudsen; Christina Vargas; Daniel Mock; Debbie Coleman ; Diana Batres; Dianne Huot ; Faviola Valdez; Fred Ponce de Leon; Gabe Garcia; Heather Hidinger; Jackie Bensley ; James Hawk; Jan Geres; Jennifer Valley; Jillian Salasek; Jim Myers; Johanna Callaway; John Gahan; Judy Freeman; Julie Thornton; Karla Biggar; Katey Reed; Kim Almond; Kimberly Bushaw; Kimberly Day; Kristin Rebb; Laura Webb; Laurie Wolfe; LeeAnn Pocock; Lisa Sorenson; Maria Zambrano; Megan Preston; Melanie Latimer; Melissa Gray; Michele Knape; Mirna Perez; Raquel Pierce; Robyn Doyle; Shannon Thompson; Sheri Ulbrich; Stacy Hamilton; Stephanie Faultner; Stephanie Lacy; Sue Robinson; Susan Burroughs; Tamara Boylan; Tamara Nygard; Tammy Ross; Teresa Krager; Tina Schiro-Arns; Tonia Stone; Tracy Jarman; Woody Mason; Amy Yenerich; Christina Arias; Connie Witte; Cybill Jacob; Daneille Erb; Debbie LeBlanc; Dr. Melanie Lehman; Erin Gonzales; Gaylene Swenson; Janelle Dinkgrave; Janice Peterson ; Jean Young; Joanne Morales; Jodi Welsh; Johanna Callaway; Judy Meredith; Karen Harman; Nan Gillispie; Nancy Williams; Polly Foudray

Committee Members

Next Steps

Elementary Teachers’ Info Session IMT Pinnacle Template Work Back to School PD Sessions Feedback Throughout 12-13 school year Late Work, Make Up Work and Homework

Committees during 12-13 school year SPED Grading Committees during 12-13 school

year Continue K-2 Grading work aligned with

curriculum focus