Purpose
The purpose of this presentation is to communicate research based
grading and reporting best practices that are in alignment
across the middle level schools to best meet the needs of our diverse
student populations.
Task Force Members
Marsh Baisch, Joni Olson, Jason Harris, Erich Schafer, Shara Stone, Mike Gritman, Steve Kline, Lynn
Johnson, Jesus Sandoval, Amber Brown, Nicole Kipka, Todd Sanford, Jereme Fimrite, Brenda Blackmore
Taskforce Representation
• Kennedy• North• South
• Math• Social Studies• Science• EL• Language Arts• Special Education• Administration
Core Principals
• A standards based grade represents a valid indicator for what a student knows and is able to do
• The primary purpose of a grade is to convey how well students achieve on academic standards
• The primary audience for grades are students and parents
• Academic grades should reflect academic achievement only and effort, participation and attitude should be graded separately
What is a Standards-Based Grading and Reporting System?
• Standards-based grading describes the grade level/content areas skills and knowledge students have learned based on state standards and benchmarks.
• Standards-based reporting is designed to keep students and parents informed about a student’s progress toward proficiency on standards and benchmarks
Teacher Survey ResultsChanges should be made
to the current grading system97% Agree
Primary purpose of agrade is to communicate academic achievement
79% Strongly Agree/Agree
Grading scale should be consistent across
grading levels85% Strongly Agree/Agree
Current grading system effectively communicates
student achievement79% Strongly Disagree/Disagree
Academic achievement should be reported separately
from non-academic issues56% Strongly Agree/Agree
Current grading systemto parent/student what
standards are being met83% Strongly Disagree/
Disagree
Parent Survey ResultsUnderstand the philosophy of
Standards Based Grading62% Strongly Agree/Agree
Students understand standards and/or learning targets
46% Strongly Agree/Agree
Feedback on student learning and growth is provided
49% Strongly Disagree/Disagree
Standards Based Grading has improved their child’s focus on
learning
59% Strongly Disagree/Disagree
There should be separate assessment of academic progress
from work habits
73% Strongly Agree/Agree
Standards Based Grading provides students the opportunity to be
more responsible and accountable for their learning
48% Strongly Disagree/Disagree
Decisions the Committee Made
• Reporting and Grading are two separate things.
• Standards based Grading is a valuable tool for teachers and students.
• A Reporting system that includes A-F is less confusing for students and parents.
• A percentage based system is the best way to prepare the students for Senior High.
New Grading Rubric
• A - Demonstrates understanding of standards/benchmarks to exceed expectations
• B - Demonstrates a secure level of understanding of standards/benchmarks
• C - Demonstrates a developing level of understanding of standards/benchmarks
• D - Demonstrates a beginning level of understanding of standards/benchmarks
• F - Demonstrates insufficient evidence of understanding of standards/benchmarks
• Work/Study Skills No Behavior Graded
Percentage Grading Scale
A+ 100% - 97%A 96% - 93%A- 92% - 90%B+ 89% - 87%B 86% - 83%B- 82% - 80%
C+ 79% - 77%C 76% - 73%C- 72% - 70%D+ 69% - 67%D 66% - 63%D- 62% - 60%F 59% - 0%
Reporting Standards Using Skyward
Keep current subject/standard categories for 2016-17
Remove “Class Work/Assignments/Behavior” skill
Add “Work/Study Skills” skill for 2016-17
Each subject will have separate grades
A combined course Term Grade will be added for 2016-17
Reporting Standards Using Skyward
Student: Benjamin J. Karels South Junior High8th Grade 2015 - 2016Homeroom: John Telega Principal: Jason Harris
AttendanceExcused : 1.5Unexcused: 0Tardy : 2
Class : LANGUAGE ARTS 8Teacher : Jacob Lambrecht
Class GradesTR1 TR2 TR3
Class Grades D C+ C
ReadingTR1 TR2 TR3
Reading C+ C DComprehension 3 1.5 1Independent Reading 1
WritingTR1 TR2 TR3
Writing D C+ BTypes of Writing 1 2Writing Process 2.5
Speaking, Listening, Viewing / MLTR1 TR2 TR3
Speaking, Listening, Viewing / ML
LanguageTR1 TR2 TR3
Language C BConventions 1.5 1.5Vocabulary 3.5
Class Work/Assignments/BehaviorTR1 TR2 TR3
Class Work/Assignments/Behavior
Class : EARTH SCIENCE 8 Teacher : Robert Thompson
Class GradesTR1 TR2 TR3
Class Grades
Practice of ScienceTR1 TR2 TR3
Practice of Science
STEMTR1 TR2 TR3
STEM AScience and engineering in society 3.5
MatterTR1 TR2 TR3
Matter AProperties of substances 3.5
EnergyTR1 TR2 TR3
Energy
Earth Structure and ProcessesTR1 TR2 TR3
Earth Structure and Processes B BTectonic plates 2.5Landforms 2.5 3.5Rocks/rock formations 2.5 2
Interdependence with Earth SystemTR1 TR2 TR3
Interdependence with Earth System
The UniverseTR1 TR2 TR3
The Universe APlanet Earth 3.5
Human Interactions with Earth SystemsTR1 TR2 TR3
Human Interactions with Earth Systems
Class Work/Assignments/BehaviorTR1 TR2 TR3
Class Work/Assignments/Behavior C A AClass Work 1 3.5 3.5Assignments 2 3.5
Class : WORLD GEO 8 Teacher : Erich Schafer
Class GradesTR1 TR2 TR3
Class Grades C+ B C
Citizenship and GovernmentTR1 TR2 TR3
Citizenship and Government
EconomicsTR1 TR2 TR3
Economics
GeographyTR1 TR2 TR3
Geography C+ C+ DPlaces and Regions C C+ DHuman Systems B+ C
HistoryTR1 TR2 TR3
History
Class Work/Assignments/BehaviorTR1 TR2 TR3
Class Work/Assignments/Behavior B B+ B+Class Work B B+ B+Behavior C+ C+
Class : MATH 8: ALGEBRA 1.1Teacher : Betsy Reese
Class GradesTR1 TR2 TR3
Class Grades C+ C+ B
Number & OperationTR1 TR2 TR3
Number & Operation B+ B+Legend:4-Exceeds, 3-Secure, 2-Developing, 1-Beginning, NA-Not AssessedWork Habits/Behavior Legend: 3-Secure, 2-Developing, 1-Beginning+ Turned in, - Not turned in
Page 1
Sample Progress Report
Term
Skills
Subject/Standard
Next Steps Implementation this Summer
• Skyward has been modified for grading/reporting format to reflect new parameters
• Implement process to inform parents about changes in grading/reporting system
• Inform/train staff on new system
Next Steps – This year
• Vertical Teams – discuss most efficient grouping of standards and modify standards as necessary
• Departments – discuss proper and appropriate assessment of standards
• Individual – work towards proper and appropriate standard assessment and work/study skills assessment with district support
Next Steps Administration
• Oversee transition of new grading rubric and scale– Professional Development– Ongoing Development of Gradebook
• Oversee the MTSS Process for under achieving students
• Summer School for under achieving students discussion