Embedded Files
Learning is at the heart of all we do at ISKL.
And accurate, timely, and growth-oriented feedback is at the heart of learning.
As a learning-focused organization, we remain reflective and dedicated to providing the best possible educational experiences for our students. We have made many improvements to the curriculum and instruction at ISKL over the past five years. However, we would be remiss if we did not also examine our grading and reporting systems to make sure that we are giving the best possible feedback toward growth and progress that is possible. For the past two years we have taken on the goal of deeply examining our assessment policies and practices and to make changes that will help us maintain the high standards of education we are known for, while also reducing the stress and focus around grades. It is the learning that matters most.
SBAR Informational Brochure
Click here.
Parent Coffee September 2018
with description of changes to assessment and reporting practices for 2018-19
Parent Coffee, 30th September, 2019
HS Goal #1
Enhance the growth of each student by aligning recording and reporting (feedback) to standards-based assessment practices.
What is Standards-Based Assessment?
“...a standards-based grading and reporting system requires teachers to organize evidence by standards and factor out all nonachievement attributes...Rather than using traditional letter grades and percentages, standards-based grading involves levels of proficiency that illustrate a natural progression of quality.”
Schimmer (2016)
Learn More About the Topic
Standards-Based Grading Overview
Parent Coffee, February 7, 2018
Worth Reading
Starting the Conversation: What’s in a Grade?
Standards-Based Grading: What Parents Need to Know
The Cost of Over-emphasizing Achievement
Dear Parents, Here’s what you should know about letter grades
12 Alternatives to Letter Grades in Education
Standards-based grading and reporting will improve education
What does the research say about SBAR?
Schools Try to Remove Stress of Class Rankings
How Selective Colleges and Universities Evaluate Proficiency-Based High School Transcripts
Navigating the College Application Process with your Standards-Based Transcript
Worth Watching
Purpose of Grading for Learning
Why Do we Get Grades in School?
Why the Traditional Grading System Does More Harm Than Good
Research Base
More information can be provided about any of the books below, upon request.
Parent Coffee, September 13, 2017
Frequently Asked Questions
People have a good understanding of the A-B-C-D-F letter system. Why do we need a change?
Letter grades are typically calculated based on a percentage of points earned. Additionally, grade points are often averaged to provide a description of the general performance of student over the course of the term. Practices like these do not communicate clearly which skills need development, progress toward the intended goals, or how a student might improve their learning. We are looking for a system that will improve the quality of feedback for learning that we give to students and their families. To learn more about the limitations of points and letter grades, check out some of the articles to the right.
Will a new report card look like the one that was developed for middle school three years ago?
No. The middle school chose a 4-point scale for reporting (Extends, Meets, Approaching, Does Not Yet Meet) on the various domains in each class. The high school will have similar learning domains, but will report on a 1-7 scale, similar to the one IB uses for their courses.
How will colleges and universities react to a standards-based report card?
We have heard from more than a dozen admissions officers from universities in the USA and UK. All of them have indicated that a standards-based transcript presents no problem for them. They see student transcripts from many parts of the world and are accustomed to interpreting different styles with the help of the school profile, which is sent alongside. See their specific comments here.
What is the timeline for change at ISKL?
System-wide change takes time. We began the process in August of 2016 with reflection and research. During the 2017-18 school year, we have undertaken to upscale our teachers to a standards-based mindset and align the curricular standards to assessment practices. Additionally, we are developing new systems for the recording of learning in PowerSchool and new designs for both the report card and the transcript. We hope to launch these changes for the start of school in August 2018.
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