A Move Away from Traditional Grading Policy
Synthesis
Standards Based Grading (SBG) has been gaining ground as it measures the successful completion of specific goals, rather than the traditional points based grading system. This new system looks to replace the older version as it is designed around the student meeting certain academic goals, and looks to measure proficiency in knowledge and understanding (Scriffiny, 2008).
The move from the traditional grading system has become a hot topic over the last decade or so. Society is now seeing the limitations of the old ways of ranking and sorting students based on final grades, and looking to change things for the better. We have found that those who are passed over and fall behind fail to develop the necessary skills in reading, mathematics, and writing (Stiggins, 2005).
The traditional grading system is based on several methods of assessing such as: exams, quizzes, and homework assignments. The grading system is usually a percentage based system with very little information on what it takes to be successful. All of this is recorded in a gradebook with nothing standing out other than the overall average, nothing to be said of the quality of work (Townsley, 2014). This system has been in place for as long as most of us can remember.
Moving to a Standards Based Grading (SBG) system is a move away from the rigid and structured grading system and will be a slow transition. The transition to a SBG system will be one that works with established goals. Students will earn points as those goals are met and they must meet these goals over the course of the year. This will allow them to work at their own pace, and only advancing forward when meeting those academic expectations. This allows those students who master topics early to move forward, and allows educators to provide more time to those who may need it (Townsley, 2014).
Standards Based Grading (SBG) will be a more holistic view of students knowledge and understanding of the material. There are many benefits to SBG systems such as allowing students to move forward as they master topics, empowering more students as they are allowed learn at their own pace, create a more positive learning environment, provide support for those that fall behind, and emphasize knowledge rather than memorization (Townsley, 2014).
Importance
Standards Based Grading will be a drastic departure from the current system and will allow educators more flexibility in their assessment of student knowledge and understanding. As an educator, I need to delve further into the particulars of SBG and how I can incorporate it into my own courses and work to make it a larger part of my curriculum from the outset of the semester.
Future Reference:
Works Referenced:
Scriffiny, P. (2008, October 1). Seven Reasons for Standards-Based Grading. ascd.org. Retrieved February 15, 2023, from https://www.ascd.org/el/articles/seven-reasons-for-standards-based-grading
Stiggins, R. (2005). From Formative Assessment to Assessment for Learning: A Path to Success in Standards-Based Schools [Review of From Formative Assessment to Assessment for Learning: A Path to Success in Standards-Based Schools]. The Phi Delta Kappan, 87(4), 324–328.
Townsley, M. (2014, November 11). What is the difference between standards-based grading (or reporting) and competency-based education? Aurora Institute. Retrieved February 15, 2023, from https://aurora-institute.org/cw_post/what-is-the-difference-between-standards-based-grading/
Daniel,
I would like to start by complimenting you on the image you used just under your title and subtitle. The graphic is a perfect demonstration of the change from traditional grading that your subtitle states, perfectly bringing your blog together before ever reading a word. Well done! The design of your blog was written out nicely as it goes from the tradition ways of grading to move to standard based grading, and then on to how you look to use it in the future. One of the most important things, in my opinion, is when we are in these weekly modules is take what information we are provided and learn hwo to use it in the future so that…
Response Written by Francisco Sanchez EDU6380
Hello Daniel,
Another excellent blog post. Something that stuck out to me in your work is your use of the word holistic. I appreciate your use of that word, as it helped me better visualize standards-based grades (SBG). Although I had already gathered my understanding of SBG through the readings, your choice to use the word holistic hammered out the concept of SBG. The picture you included at the top of your blog post is an excellent real-world example of this holistic metric. I feel this is why grades, when done solely with the A through F structure, can be very contentious as they may be perceived as reductive. When students are graded through…
Daniel-
You are absolutely correct that the process to implementing SBG has to be slow and well thought out. It requires some readjusting in thinking and practices from educators and a whole new outlook on learning for students. As an educator, I can obviously see benefits for SBG to help settle vertical alignment gaps and develop more specific learning goals for students. However, I didn't realize the positive impact it can have on student outlook and confidence. The research we read about how it can positively impact student's was really surprising to me and made perfect sense. I'd like to see how you implement this at the college level. In the elementary level, it can be implemented with checklist and…