1st and 2nd Grade Families,
This year we are transitioning to Standards Based Grading. We believe that this new grading practice will allow for more useful and relevant conversations for parents regarding where their students are at with mastering Colorado grade level standards. The teachers and I have put this Question & Answer page together to help parents understand how standards based grading may look on students' daily work. Daily work is an essential part of learning. As Parent Teacher Conferences approaches, please make time to connect with your student's teacher. We value our partnership with our families.
Mrs. Smith
Q & A: Standards Based Report Cards
What are the four academic descriptors used to reflect your child’s progress toward meeting the standard in each academic area?
4: Exceeding Standard: The student demonstrates an understanding above and beyond grade level expectations
3: Meeting Standard: The student has mastered an understanding of the grade-level knowledge and skills expected
2: Progressing Toward Standard: The student has not yet demonstrated an understanding of the grade level knowledge and skills expected
1: Lacking Adequate Progress Toward Standard: The student has not yet demonstrated an understanding of the grade-level knowledge and skills expected
What is the difference between Standards Based Report Cards and Traditional Report Cards?
Standards Based Report Cards do NOT reflect how hard a student worked, how they compare to classmates, or how well they behaved. Standards Based Report Cards focus on what the student is able to demonstrate independently.
What if my students' work reflects a 1, but it appears that their work was all correct?
At the elementary level we want our students to first and foremost learn. If they do a worksheet incorrectly, they will receive the support and help to correct it. If a student received a 1 on a worksheet, this is reflecting that the student was unable to do the work without a great deal of assistance. The student struggled to work through the assignment independently.
What if my students’ work reflects a 2, but it appears that their work was all correct?
Students who receive a 2 on their work have shown some of the skills taught, but still are not quite independent in their work. They are making good progress towards mastery, but aren’t at a level where they feel comfortable completing work independently; OR they are working independently, but making some errors within their work, so need some assistance to complete correctly.
What if my students’ work reflects a 3, but it appears that their work was all correct?
A 3 represents mastery of the grade-level knowledge and skills expected. They are able to independently demonstrate that they understand the standard, and can use the knowledge they have gained to successfully complete any task related to that standard.
How would my student show a 4, if a worksheet is at grade level?
A 4 demonstrates that this student is working independently at a grade level above their current grade. In general, worksheets are a difficult way to measure if a student is performing “above” grade level expectations, unless the material is from the grade level above or if there is an opportunity for the student to write an “above and beyond” narrative response that would demonstrate advanced work. For example, if a student is able to articulate or write about how they arrived at an answer, and apply that learning to other problems, situations, or across content areas.
