Changing the Way We Grade: How Teachers Can Use Research to Implement Standards-Based Grading Practices

As schools have shifted to become more standards focused, many are shifting to a standards-based grading and reporting system to more closely align these practices with the academic standards. The shift to a new grading system isn’t an easy or quick change to make in any school system, and many schools that attempt this change do not fully consider all of the elements needed for a change of this magnitude. The result is often inconsistent implementation that leads to further confusion about what grades mean. This capstone project examines the research around standards-based grading and how teaching teams are successful at switching from traditional methods of planning and assessment to a standards-based approach. The research conducted for this project sought to answer the question: How can an English PLC use research to guide implementation of standards-based assessment practices? The resources presented within this capstone project are intended to provide guidance to teachers who are making the change to a standards-based method of teaching and assessment.