Getting Started With Standards-Based Grading

When it comes to grading, most teachers rely on a set of standards to determine a student’s progress. Standards-based grading means that a student’s success is measured against predetermined expectations rather than by the whims of the teacher.
Setting standards for grading can seem daunting, but it’s important to remember that it is not a one-time task. Rather, it’s a continuous process that needs to be revisited on a regular basis to ensure that the grading system is effective.
The first step in setting standards is to identify the objectives of the grading system. This might include things like assessing the student’s understanding and mastery of the material and measuring progress.
Once the objectives are defined, it’s important to create a grading scale that measures the student’s progress against those objectives. This scale should be specific to the grading system being used and should be easy to understand and use.
Once the grading scale is in place, it’s time to establish the grading criteria. This includes things like minimum grades, passing grades, and grade points.
It’s also important to establish a grading policy. This includes things like when and how grades are given and what happens if a student fails to meet the grading criteria.
Finally, it’s important to periodically review the grading system to make sure that it’s still effective and relevant. This can be done by reviewing the grading scale, the grading criteria, and the grading policy.
By following these steps, teachers can ensure that their grading system is effective and efficient.