A School Leader’s Guide to Standards-based Grading

This book offers a reliable framework for analyzing student learning and providing students and stakeholders with effective feedback on student progress. This guide not only articulates significant research supporting standards-based grading as an accurate, precise, and effective way to report academic strengths and weaknesses but also shares applicable anecdotes from educators implementing its components. The authors detail specific procedures, processes, and systems necessary for implementation. In chapter 1, readers will learn the differences between standards-based grading and standards-referenced grading and address why grading practices should change. Chapter 2 explains how teachers can prioritize standards and create proficiency scales. Chapter 3 helps readers design assessments based on the standards and scales. Chapter 4 guides readers through the grading process. Chapter 5 addresses the role of exceptional learners students with special needs, English learners, and gifted and talented students in the assessment process. Finally, chapter 6 provides a big-picture view to help school leaders implement standards-based grading school- or districtwide. Each chapter also includes real-life accounts from teachers, principals, superintendents, and other educators who have applied standards-based grading in their schools.