What is standards-based learning and assessment?
Standards-based learning and assessment is a system designed to inform parents about their child’s progress towards achieving specific learning standards. The Mehlville Course Objectives establish high expectations for all students and describe what students should know and be able to do. These objectives serve as the basis for the Mehlville School District curriculum and assessment.
Where can I find the curriculum?
The entire curriculum can be found on our district website by clicking on the “About Us” tab on the top row, scrolling down to “Departments”, selecting “Curriculum”, and then clicking the green chalkboard that says “Click here to view all classes offered by the Mehlville School District”. You can click on any course to see more specific information about what is taught in each one.
Which standards will be on the report card?
The curriculum teams selected specific standards for reporting purposes. These standards will be on the report card. The standards can be found on the district website as well. Use the same procedure listed above to get to the “Curriculum” page on the district website and then click on “Standards-Based Learning.” Each standard will receive a mark based on what the student knows and can do.
What criteria are teachers looking for when scoring the standards?
To ensure consistency with scoring, each power standard has a rubric that breaks down the standard into specific criteria. All rubrics can be found on the district website on the “Curriculum” page under “Standards-Based Learning.”
What scale will teachers use when marking standards?
Teachers will use a 3 level scale when marking standards. Student mastery of a given standard will be indicated by a “3”. This indicates that a student can independently and consistently demonstrate mastery of the standard. When a student is approaching mastery, their score is indicated with a “2”. They still need additional instruction and/or support or show inconsistency with meeting the standard. When a student is beginning to learn a standard, it is indicated with a “1”. They show limited evidence of understanding the standard and/or are not yet able to do the standard. If the standard does not have a score, this means the standard was not assessed during that reporting term. In special circumstances, a mark of IE is used to indicate insufficient evidence if a student has not completed sufficient assessment to determine mastery level.
How often will progress be shared with parents?
Formal report cards will be shared with parents four times a year. Teachers will keep a gradebook in the SIS Portal, updated at least every 3 weeks. At any time you can contact your child’s teacher to discuss your child’s progress on the standards.
How will students be assessed?
Teachers will use a variety of assessments to gather evidence on students’ progress towards the standards. They will prioritize the most recent, consistent level of performance when marking a level on the report card. This allows teachers to report students’ current levels of mastery, instead of penalizing them for not knowing something at the beginning of the learning process.
Will students continue to receive a letter grade in classes that are standards-based?
Yes. Once a class implements and assesses standards (all classes will be standards-based by 2021-2022), a letter grade for the 1st and 2nd semester will appear on the report card. The letter grade will represent an average of the # of standards assessed by semester. Example: if 5 standards are assessed in a semester, each of the 5 standards would be worth 20% of the grade. Each standard is weighted equally.
How do I calculate a letter grade from the standards-based system?
Using the example from above, here is how traditional letter grades would be determined from the standards-based scores received on a report card:
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Standard 1 Score
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Standard 2 Score
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Standard 3 Score
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Standard 4 Score
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Standard 5 Score
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3
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2
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2
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3
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1
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3+2+2+3+1 = 11 - - - > 11 (points) / 5 (standards) = 2.2
Conversion scale from standards-based calculation to letter grade:
3.00 - 2.7 = A
2.69 - 2.40 = B
2.39 - 2.00 = C
1.99 - 1.01 = D
1.00 or less = F
We are excited about implementing standards based learning in the middle school and feel that the system allows for families to better understand what their student learns over the course of a quarter or a semester. If you would like more information or clarification, you may contact your child’s teacher, your principal, and/or the curriculum office.
Sincerely,
Dr. Brian Smith, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning