What is Standards-Based Grading (SBG)?
Christensen Middle School Science classes of Ms Manganaan are using Standards-Based Grading (SBG). The goal is to make grading fair and consistent, but above all, the focus is on learning the content/skills and not just earning points. Grading will reflect how much of the content in class the student learned instead of how much work they completed.
Standards-Based Grading is an approach to grading where the different skills, concepts, and knowledge to be learned are communicated to parents and students in an easy to understand format. The student receives a “grade” based on how well they have mastered or learned the material.
What Does SBG Look Like?
Instructions in 7th Grade Science and 8th Grade Science are based on the New Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Every content that is to be learned by the student is communicated in an easy to understand format called a Learning Target. Each Learning Target is followed by an “I can” Statement to show skills needed to demonstrate mastery. There are 3 to 5 Learning Targets for each trimester. Students receive a score of: 4, 3, 2, 1, and 0 (zero) that represents how well they have mastered or understand the Learning Target. The score for all the Learning Target is averaged, and this becomes the student grade for the trimester.
What Does the SBG
Scale Look Like?
Traditional Grading | SBG | ||
Letter Grade | Percentage | SBG Grade | Proficiency |
A+ | 99% and above | 5 | Exceeds Standard [Advanced Understanding] |
A | 87% to 98% | 4 | Meets Standard [Proficient Understanding] |
B | 75% to 86% | 3 | Approaching Standard [Adequate Understanding] |
C+ | 63% to 74% | 2 | Approaching Standard [Partial Understanding] |
C- | 50% to 62% | 1 | Does Not Meet Standard [Minimal Understanding] |
F | 49% and below | 0 | NO deliverables turned in OR Incomplete deliverables |
What is the Best Thing
about SBG?
Besides placing a focus on learning the content, student learning is in their hands. Students have multiple opportunities to show mastery of the Learning Targets. Skills are demonstrated through submission/fulfillment of deliverables - i.e. quiz, lab reports, science and engineering hands-on projects, slideshow presentations, and Unit Test.
- Formative Assessments (ex. Bell Activity, Worksheets, Lab Reports, etc) - deliverables that may be taken one (1) time for each Student Learning Objective. Formative Assessments scores are recorded in Schoology for completion.
- Summative Assessments (ex: Quiz, Unit Test, Project Product, Project Presentation, Project Performance, Participation, etc) - deliverables that may be re-done up to two (2) times for each Student Learning Objective. Summative Assessments scores are graded AND recorded as the final score for the Learning Objective in Schoology.
Standards-Based
Grading (SBG)
8th Grade Science
Ms Manganaan