Grading Practices Team Notes, November 9, 2012

Meeting Notes: We discussed what we felt were the key reasons for the change. Additionally, we shared the research we found online about standards based grading and how other school districts went about doing it. Walla Walla Public schools broke down the implementation into phases; we would like to adopt some of these. Phase 1: Laying the Foundation. Research that supports why we should change our current grading practices. We plan on being done with phase 1 after our next HPT meeting December 7th Phase 2: Developing Framework How will it work? The logistics. Creating a rollout plan. Creating common grading rubrics/practices. We plan on being done with this after our last HPT meeting of the year May 3rd We would like to make our proposal/recommendation to the board at the May 8th board meeting. Phase 3: Implementing Rollout Plan This is created during phase 2, and we would be following it Parent meetings, easing away from letter grades, etc. We plan on this happening during the 2013-2014 school year. This is also the trial year for common core standards, so we felt that would go well together. Phase 4: Implementation in the Middle School Complete implementation of standards based grading for the middle school during the 2014-2015 school year. Official implementation of common core standards. Through our research we found that the districts and schools that were most successful spent multiple years in creating a plan and developing the resources necessary for standards based grading to be received well and effectively adopted by teachers. We want to make sure we don't rush and have quality material that will be used. What our key reasons for change: Making grades more meaningful Grades are meant to communicate student achievement, so separating achievement into standards and life skills will more accurately address student knowledge and the skills we'd like them to take into the real world. (pride in work and working hard vs do they know the content) Additionally, current grades are trying to summarize a students achievement on all standards taught in a trimester instead of clearly stating strengths and weaknesses. Benefits all students Students who are struggling but are good at "playing school" will get their recognition for having life skills, while still addressing their academic needs Gift and talented students will demonstrate their mastery of standards, which will allow them to be pushed even further in the content area. Consistence for students vertically and horizontally Students will have common and clear expectations for each classroom. These expectations academically will be clearly stated and demonstrated, so each grade level teacher will know about student academic achievement. Additionally, classroom behavior expectations will be common and are developed to help them be successful in high school and life. Standards based grading addresses our school mission statement "acquire the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary to be individually successful throughout life" All of this must be facilitated/taught. Grading students on content and life skills is better way to communicate with students and parents what skills students need to develop further to be successful throughout life, not just in school. It will also give specific information on student knowledge. Amy Bessen 6th/7th Grade Mathematics Bigfork Schools