Standards-Based Grading (SBG) Q and A

1st-5th Grade

Q: What is Standards-Based Grading?

A: SBG is a refined way of reporting what students know and how they demonstrate their learning of state content standards.

Q: What is the purpose of Standards-Based Grading?

A: The purpose of SBG is to align grading with the Colorado State Standards as measured by consistent and accurate student achievement data and common criteria for grading.

Q: What is the goal of Standards-Based Grading?

A: The primary goal of SBG is to better communicate what each student knows and is able to do according to content standards and separately assess the influence of positive and consistent work habits on student learning.

Q: How does Standards-Based Grading work?

A: Traditional grading averages all of the work and other subjective factors that a student has done over time. SBG removes extraneous factors and solely focuses on proficiency. SBG assesses a student’s overall work and their most recent work so it really tells us what a student has learned and what they now know rather than what they knew walking into the class.

Q: How does this differ from traditional letter grades?

A: SBG reports tell us what students have actually learned and know. SBG measures students’ knowledge of grade-level content over time by reporting the most recent, consistent level of performance. Traditional grading often includes other subjective factors like attendance, effort, homework and attitude, which might influence the grade positively or negatively. In SBG, we will report proficiency and work habits separately in order to give a more accurate report of student progress toward mastery of grade level standards.

Kindergarten uses TS Gold, which is a state requirement. It measures academic, social and emotional growth and is aligned to content standards. It will be documented 3 times per year.