Handouts are available below.

Big Idea

One question that comes up about Standards Based Grading time and again is this: how do we get a percentage out of it? For my students, I use a scale to convert proficiency scales to a percentage. This conversion comes up with roughly the same percentage a student would achieve through a traditional system. But, there is a faster way of getting this percentage – and it works great: have students determine their own percentages. 

Episode Notes

My conversion scale for proficiencies to percentages is as follows:

• All Extending for standards translates to ~96%
• All Proficient for standards translates to ~84%
• All Developing for standards translates to ~70%
• All Emerging for standards translates to <60%
  • Note: a student who has a combination of Proficient and Extending for standards would have a percentage between 84 and 96%. Teachers can use their professional judgment to decide.

When having students determine their own percentages:

1. Go over how a teacher would come up with their percentage (see above)
2. Give students a self-reflection sheet and have them determine their own proficiencies for each standard assessed throughout the term
3. Have students determine their own percentages.
   • To help them with step 2, hand back their tests from throughout the term.
4. Double check what each student has determined. If you agree, enter that percentage for the student. If not, enter a percentage you decide.

Resources

Handout(s): Ep83 Handouts – Convert Proficiencies to Percentages More Quickly

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