Handouts are available below.

Big Idea

Compared to traditional grading, Standards Based Grading (SBG) is a better way of assessing student learning. But, doing SBG takes more time – especially at the beginning. Recently, a colleague showed me how they set up their marking rubric, and one small change has helped me determine a student’s level of proficiency more efficiently while also giving students a bit more information on where they stand.

Episode Notes

To get started using Standards Based Grading on science tests:

1. Restructure your tests to have sections that corresponded to a specific standard.
   • For example, my tests generally have 2 (no more than 3) sections that correspond to specific standards (like “Questioning and Predicting” or “Applying” or “Processing and Analyzing”).
2. Provide a proficiency scale at the top of page/test.
   • After marking each section, go back to indicate what level of proficiency the student achieved for given section.

Regarding the Proficiency scale:

1. Check off the level of proficiency instead of highlighting or circling
   • Giving a check mark is faster.
   • If space is provided, a check mark can show progression within a level of proficiency. This way, a student can see how far they are from the next level of proficiency.

Resources

Handout(s): Ep82 Handouts – A Small Change that Helps Me Do SBG Efficiently

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