1. Standards Based Grading

2. How is it different? Traditional Standards Based
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
Grade for each standard
Grade reflects mastery of each learning objectively evenly and independently
No one assignment dominates the grade (except the final exam) HW
Project
Quiz
Test 5 20 10
100 4 13 9 85 1 2 3 4 5 10 6 9 8

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

4. How is a grade calculated?
Each standard has 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 Score Level Grade /10 Example 4 Exceptional Mastery 10 3
Connects to outside knowledge/other topics or goes above and beyond 3
Mastery 9
Thoroughly demonstrates mastery, can apply knowledge and skills 2
Partial Mastery
7.5
Some conceptual understanding or use of skills 1
Minimal Mastery 6
Recite vocabulary definitions
No Mastery
No knowledge or nothing turned in
0.25
0.5
0.75 1
1.25
1.5
1.75 2
2.25
2.5
2.75 3
3.25
3.5
3.75 4
4.5 5
5.5 6
6.25
6.75
7.25
7.5
7.75
8.25
8.75 9
9.25
9.5
9.75 10

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 Mr. Mahon during Ac Lab for a verbal quiz to determine your score

7. Example Standard 1.1 Quiz Test 1 2 3 Standard 1.2 Quiz Test 1.5 3 2
Exit Slip
Quiz
Test 1 2 3
Standard 1.2
Exit Slip
Quiz
Test
1.5 3 2
Standard 1.3
Exit Slip
Quiz
Test 2 3 1
Student gets a 3 (9/10) Student gets a 2.5 (8.25/10) Student sees Mr. Mahon
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 4 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 Procedure (Science Standard 1)
Graphs (Science Standard 2)
Conclusion (Science Standard 3, Content Standard 1.1)
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)

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