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Parent FAQ

What is Standards Based Grading?

Standards-based refers to an approach to teaching, evaluating, grading, and communicating student progress.  In this approach:

  • Students demonstrate their understanding and show that they have mastered the knowledge and skills specifically identified by the standards throughout the school year.  
  • The student’s progress is communicated to students and parents by identifying how students are progressing on each identified standard.  
  • These standards, or expectations, are set by the State of Illinois.
     
Why Standards Based Grading?

Teachers target specific learning objectives and monitor students’ progress over a trimester.  Standards based grading provides a clear picture of a student’s progress on these learning targets.

  • Standards Based Grading shows specific areas of evaluation and the expected learning target.
  • Communication on identified standards share specific information on a child’s progress with both the student and parents.
     
How is this different from traditional grading/reporting looks like?

Traditional grading systems:

  • Assigns a letter for an entire semester of learning.
  • The student completes various assignments and assessments/tests which culminate in that letter grade throughout the trimester.
  • However, this letter does not identify specifically how a student progressed on each topic within the trimester.

Standards based grading/reporting:

  • Relies on specific learning objectives/targets to communicate progress.  
  • Students demonstrate their learning on specific skill on concept.  However, standards based grading/reporting will identify where a student is in the continuum of learning for each target.
  • Your child receives credit for the things he or she can do and clearly identify the areas that continue to be a challenge.  
     
If my child does not receive a letter grade, what can I expect to see on the report card?  

The following marking scale is used to communicate achievement at the end of each trimester.  All K-5 teachers and specialists use this marking system for all areas of the report card. The numbers 3, 2, or 1 will be used to indicate progress on each standard assessed on the report card.

  • 3-Secure - Student shows evidence of meeting standard independently
  • 2-Approaching - Student shows evidence that he/she is approaching meeting the standard independently with occasional support
  • 1-Beginning - Student does not yet show evidence he/she meets the standard independently with consistent support  ( change maybe to and requires)
     
How does this impact or change how my child is assessed?  

Historically, a percentage system was used to identify a letter grade for the report card.  When a percentage system is applied and assignment grades are averaged into a percentage:

  • It does not tell parents what their child specifically knows or can do or specific areas in which the child may struggle.
  • It can be misleading. In determining a percentage and a letter grade, it is possible to  include extra credit, participation, group work or other factors not related to the standards. These factors do not tell parents what their child knows knows or is able to do.

Standards based grading provides more consistency and accuracy about what students know, how they are growing academically, and what they are able to do.

  • It shows each learning target and how a child has progressed specifically related to that target.
  • Extra credit, participation, etc. are not included so it provides an accurate, clear picture of a student’s growth and progress.

Therefore, K-5 teachers do not average scores and assign letter grades on the report card.  
 

Participation, homework, work quality and other student behaviors are really important to my child’s success.  Where will that be communicated on the report card?

These areas are important in developing the whole child.  While these will continue to be considered as part of a student’s overall growth, these items will not be included in subject area grades any longer.  Work habits will be included under the Learner Characteristics section of the report card.
 

What student evidence determines grades?

Teachers carefully consider the following in determining progress:

  • Independent daily written or oral tasks
  • Application of skills
  • Periodic assessments (quizzes, tests)
  • Performance tasks, and anecdotal notes and observations

Teachers use the most current data and information to determine a child’s grade.

  • Students are not penalized for not understanding a concept at the beginning of a trimester. Homework and participation are not incorporated into a student’s subject area grade.
  • The information that provides the most accurate depiction of students’ learning is the most current information and is used to determine a 3, 2 or 1.

Do other school districts use a standards based report card?

Yes, surrounding school districts in DuPage County as well as others across the state and country have been using Standards Based Grading for many years.