APS is extending the adoption of the standards-based grading system at the high school level. The new time line calls for high schools to implement SBG in August 2010. Full implementation of SBG for the middle school level remains on schedule for August 2009.
Standards-based grading measures what a student should know and be able to do at each grade level according to Colorado state content standards. Under the standards-based system, students are graded on their achievement on class content. Work habits such as class participation and attendance are recorded separately. SBG is currently used in APS elementary and K-8 schools.
The extended high school time line will allow APS to develop benchmarks-statements about what students should know and be able to do-for specific content areas. Currently, APS has planning and pacing guides in place, which include benchmarks, for the core content areas of literacy, math, science and social studies. However, benchmarks and levels of proficiency in student work have not been developed for other content areas, such as elective courses. In addition, high school staff will benefit by having additional time for professional learning and practice before standards-based report cards are adopted.
As we head toward implementation of Standards-Based Grading, one way to provide information and invite collaboration is through our new Standards-Based Grading in APS Teacher Forum website! This website is a social network for teachers to discuss ideas, ask questions, and share practices through an online web forum. By joining the forum, you will have access to post discussion topics, reply to other members, and access other resources related to standards-based assessment, grading, and reporting. For instructions on how to register and start collaborating with others go to sbgaps.ning.com If you have questions about access to the site, please email Rich Blegen or Rich Patterson.
Additionally, teachers will begin to be able to practice using a standards-based gradebook beginning in January. Please click the resources link to view all recently added materials and examples of drafts of the middle and high school report cards!
As our work continues in this school year to meet Action #29 of VISTA 2010 – “to provide report cards K-12 that are standards-based by August 2009 for middle schools and August 2010 for high schools,” an important shift is taking place in how we approach this enormous goal.
While much of the past year’s efforts focused on researching standards-based grading and reporting and developing recommendations to establish a clearer picture of what the processes are and what the end products will look like, it is critical that the work now focus even more so on responding to the needs of teachers, principals, parents, and students. This means that it is most important that the discussions and feedback happen within our schools and at parent accountability meetings.
Some ways in which this is being accomplished are by:
- continuing to develop our understandings of what student evidence will look like to meet the standards/benchmarks for standards based grading in the Math, Literacy, Science, and Social Studies Curriculum Standards Groups of teachers who are meeting more frequently this year
- implementing feedback loops through data teams at all sites
- supporting professional development through district and site-specific groups
- using teacher input to develop drafts of a Standards-Based Report Card and Grade Book
- expanding the learning in the Standards-Based Grading Parent Group to prepare for communicating with other parents at school Accountability meetings
- having further conversations with the Board of Education.
Please see the Action Plan for more details
Please see the Action Plan for more details.
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