The Office of Curriculum and Instruction published an article for all Anderson School District 4 parents on Standards-Based Grading in the back-to-school issue of News 4 You! (Vol. 1 No.1, Fall 2013 p.3). The purpose of this communication is to provide answers to questions we have received thus far. We hope this helps build a stronger foundation of understanding.
A. Is Standards-Based Reporting being implemented because of Common Core State Standards (CCSS)?
No, standards-based reporting has been used in Anderson School District 4 for several years in grades K-2, as well as across the state in grades K-12. Standards-based reports include both State standards for science and social studies and SC’s newly adopted CCSS. The purpose of the standards-based report card is to describe students’ learning progress based on our district’s learning expectations for each grade level. It is intended to inform parents and guardians about learning successes and to guide improvements when needed.
B. What does it mean for MLES to ‘pilot’ standards-based reporting?
The 2013 district-wide grading committee recommended that the district work to provide information and gather input for a larger group of parents and stakeholders regarding standards-based reporting. Mount Lebanon was selected as a pilot site based on the faculty’s extensive research on best practices in assessing student learning. This year’s pilot will provide key data and guidance for K-5 district-wide implementation in 2014-15.
C. Since it is a ‘pilot’ project, when, where, and how will the success be assessed? Will there be opportunities for parent involvement?
The success of the standards-based reporting pilot will be assessed each quarter through analysis of student performance and feedback from students, parents, and teachers. So far, there has been an information session for parents at the Mount Lebanon Elementary School Parent Information Night (September 5, 2013 at 6:00 pm). A more detailed question and answer session was hosted by the MLES School Improvement Council (September 17, 2013 at 7:00 pm). All MLES parents will be asked to provide feedback after the first report cards (October 31, 2013). Additional opportunities to learn more about standards-based grading and to provide feedback will take place throughout the year. Based on the feedback, the administrative team will work to refine the program to meet learner needs and the goals of the program.
LaFrance, Pendleton, and Townville Elementary schools will host parent sessions in the spring to provide information about standards-based grading prior to district-wide implementation of the K-5 standards-based report card in 2014-15.
D. What is the plan after the pilot year?
We are committed to the successful development of the standards-based reporting in achieving the goals of enhancing communication of student mastery of the standards. The 2013 district-wide grading committee’s research led the group of parents, community members, and educators to the conclusion that standards-based reporting is the right thing to do for students. The committee recommended phasing in the standards-based reporting over a three year period. The pilot and phase in gives us the opportunity to modify the implementation, as needed.
E. How will standards-based grading impact grade point averages?
Grade Point Averages (GPAs) are not reported for students in grades K-5. They are reported in high school courses, as required by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education’s (CHE) point averages for academic ranking, and are required by most post-secondary institutions and scholarship organizations. Anderson School District Four will continue to report academic progress for high school credit-bearing courses. Please see the link below for further information. You can also see how the letter and numerical grades are converted on a 4.0 scale. See page 2 of the web link for the conversion scale: http://www.che.sc.gov/Finance/CHEMIS/Ind070904Student%20Enrollment%20RS.pdf
F. What is the standard goal for the gifted and talented program?
Grade Point Averages are only used to evaluate eligibility for the gifted and talented program if students have met at least one of the first two dimension qualifiers in elementary school. Most elementary students qualify on the basis of Dimension A (CogAT or OLSAT) and Dimension B (ITBS, MAP, or PASS). If a student in grades two through five has met only one of the two dimensions above, the district will administer a Dimension C test (STAR) in March to determine eligibility. In grades six through twelve, the GPA can be used as a Dimension C qualifier. On this, a student must have a 3.75 on a 4.0 scale.
Before implementing standards-based reporting in grades six and above, Anderson School District 4 will develop a model for conversion. This may involve a hybrid of reporting grades and standards-based reporting. State regulations for gifted and talented programs were revised in June of 2013; however, we are still awaiting guidance from the SC Department of Education on updates.
G. Will student success continue to be recognized?
Yes, recognizing students who demonstrate success is highly valued by educators.
H. Is Anderson School District Four the only district changing to standards-based reporting?
No, schools across the country are seeing the educational value in making changes to their assessing, evaluating, and grading procedures. Standards-based reporting provides parents with information on how their child is doing in each skill assessed.
I. Where is the research on the effectiveness of Standards-Based Reporting?
Many of the leading educational researchers in our country (Doug Reeves, Robert Marzano, Tom Gusky, and Richard DuFour) have identified the educational benefits of increasing the fidelity with which students receive feedback regarding how they are performing in relation to clearly identified standards. By using a standards-based grading and reporting system we are following the results of educational research and best practice.
