Handouts are available below

Big Idea

How do you give retests when using standards based grading? My answer – I don’t give retests. This is an excellent benefit for me in using standards based assessment because, now, I don’t spend additional time creating and marking retests.

Episode Notes

• Traditional marks book setup focuses on mastery of information and content. Since specific content will only appear only on specific tests, students who don’t do well on specific content would want a retest for the corresponding test.
• A marks book setup where students are assessed on curricular skills and practices using Standards Based Grading focuses on mastery of skill. If a student doesn’t do well on specific skills, they are given other opportunities on future tests to demonstrate mastery of that skill. Thus, I don’t have to give a retest when the focus is on skills and practices because those skills come up over and over. 
• Content still appears on tests. But the content is what I use to evaluate the skills. For example, the argument students craft on a chemistry test need to include chemistry ideas in their response in order for it to be considered PRF or EXT.

Thanks for reading, and let’s talk science education again soon.

Resources

Handout(s): Ep55 Handouts – Are There Retests in Standards Based Grading?

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