Middle Level Grading and Reporting Task Force

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.

Previous Grading Rubric

4-Exceeds3-Secure2-Developing1-Beginning

Work HabitsHomeworkBehavior

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 SkywardEventSkill

Subject/StandardTerm

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

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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

Thank you!