6th
Grade English/Language Arts – 2016-2017 – Grading Policy and Procedures
Standards
Based Grading (SBG) will be implemented into this course. During
this school year Mrs. Mann and Mrs. Mason will be using Standards Based
Grading. SBG is designed to give students more direct feedback pertaining to
specific learning objectives. Students
will know the areas in which they have performed well and areas that need
improvement. The following will outline
how this grading system operates and what students can expect.
1.
During each unit students will be provided with
learning targets written in student friendly language. These “I Can” statements specify exactly what
students need to know, be able to do with what they know, and how to
demonstrate that knowledge. Daily
lessons will focus on specific “I Can” statements. Students will be assessed throughout the unit
to see how well they have grasped each target.
This information will provide feedback to the teacher and student on the
progress being made and what additional instruction is needed.
2.
At the end of each unit students will be assessed
on their understanding of the learning targets.
Each unit assessment will be planned out so that each target is assessed
an effective and appropriate way. The
assessment will be scored on a 4, 3, 2, 1, 0 scale with 4 being the highest
possible score and representing ‘Mastery’ of the target. The total points they
earn divided by the total points possible will then determine the student’s
percentage grade for the unit. (A score of 3 represents a solid understanding
of the learning target, a 2 represents ‘Developing’ knowledge, a score of 1
represents ‘Limited/Basic’ understanding of the target, and a 0 means students
lack any understanding of the target, or the assessment was not completed by
the student.
3.
After receiving feedback on their performance,
students will have an opportunity to take an additional assessment (a
‘retake’). This opportunity will allow
students to show if there has been an improvement in their understanding of
individual learning targets with which they initially had trouble. If students show an improvement on their
learning target performance, the lower grade will be replaced by the higher
grade. If they don’t show improvement, their grade remains the same. There is no penalty for taking longer to
demonstrate competency of a learning target. Retakes must be completed within 2
weeks of the initial assessment, and students must successfully complete Target
Practice for the target they have requested to retake. Retakes must be
completed outside of regular class times, and must be student initiated. It is
the student’s responsibility to complete the practice and the retake within the
designated time. (Reminders will not be provided.)
This grading process allows students (and
teachers) to pinpoint specific areas of greatest understanding, as well as
specific areas of needed improvement. It’s a great way to see exactly what
concepts need to be retaught, practiced, and reassessed.
