Challenging the Standard of Grading Practices
- Charles Shewell
- Feb 6, 2023
- 2 min read
TEACHERS UNITE & TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR GRADING
TBG vs SBG vs CBG
Before I divulge my opinions on standards-based grading or traditional-based grading, let us first start by discussing what they are and where they differ. The traditional grading system is assessment based on a percentage system per entry that is input into a gradebook to determine the overall grade for a recorded average. A standards-based grading system is criteria or proficiency based on learning goals and performance standards that measures achievement and/or effort to emphasize evidence of learning. Standard-based grading “measures a students’ proficiency on well-defined course objectives,” (Tomlinson & McTighe, 2006). Competency-based learning is described as a modular unit of learning where students can advance to higher levels of work by showing mastery of standards through performance and application evaluations for earning credits.
THOUGHTS
The importance of understanding these grading practices allows educators to adjust their instruction and give meaning to the assigned work by emphasizing quality of performance. I cannot say which is most effective, or what grading practice you should use in your classrooms, but what I can say is that a healthy mix of the three will drastically change the quality of learning for students as it has in my classroom. Through grading rubrics, I have been able to implement standard and competency-based learning that allows my students time to learn and become proficient in industry based skills for A/V production, graphic design, and a variety of entertainment technologies. Using the state standards set by TEKS, I am creating an environment where students can visualize the growth of their skills, taking ownership of their learning.
References:
Tomlinson, C., & McTighe, J. (2006). Integrating differentiated instruction and understanding by design. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
Resources
1. PowerSchool
2. Edutopia
Charles,
I really like the graphic that you added to visually explain SBG. I think if you aren't an educator, the idea of standards based grading can be intimidating and hard to follow, but once you understand the concept and benefits of such grading, it becomes apparent how helpful this system can be to students. I haven't experienced SBG as a teaching, but my first and second grader both use SBG on their report cards. I really like how I can look at their report cards and it lays out all the standards and visually shows me where they are excelling and where they are struggling. I am not as familiar with CBG, so I would like to know more…