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Making Grades Matter
Maximize learning by making grades more meaningful and motivating to students. With the support of this practical guide, professional learning communities (PLCs) will discover a clear road map for implementing a standards-based grading system at the secondary level. The authors provide all of the actionable ideas and tools needed to not only transition to this improved system but to achieve the greatest possible success with it.
Benefits
- Study the foundational theories behind the standards-based grading system and how it interacts with and is supported by the PLC process.
- Learn how to use grades to effectively communicate students’ mastery of learning standards.
- See what makes ungraded homework and independent practice a better tool to improve learning and enhance students’ motivation to study.
- Understand the value of allowing students multiple opportunities to demonstrate their learning when taking assessments.
- Gain valuable insights for administrators and leaders into the multiyear journey of implementing standards-based grading.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1: Standards-Based Grading in a Professional Learning Community
Chapter 2: How Grades Communicate Current Levels of Learning
Chapter 3: How Homework Serves as Ungraded Practice
Chapter 4: How to Provide Students With Multiple Opportunities to Demonstrate Their Learning
Chapter 5: Criteria for Administrators and Leaders Implementing Standards-Based Grading
Appendix A: Standards-Based Grading Implementation Continua and Action-Plan Templates
Appendix B: Other Resources
PRINTABLE REPRODUCIBLES
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
- Figure 2.3: Template for Identifying Priority Standards
- Figure 2.4: Template for Building Team Consensus on Priority Standards
Chapter 3
- Figure 3.3: Team Template for Developing a Homework Purpose Statement
- Figure 3.4: Template for Identifying the Cause of Incomplete Homework
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
- Figure 5.3: My Current Beliefs About Grading
- Figure 5.4: Standards-Based Grading Needs-Assessment Tool
- Figure 5.5: Standards-Based Grading Needs Assessment
- Figure 5.6: Standards-Based Grading Annual Goal-Setting Worksheet
- Figure 5.7: Multiyear Standards-Based Grading Implementation Timeline
- Figure 5.14: Team Template for Working Through Standards-Based Grading Implementation Roadblocks
Appendix A
- Continuum for Standards-Based Grading Principle 1—Individual Assessment
- Continuum for Standards-Based Grading Principle 2—Individual Assessment
- Continuum for Standards-Based Grading Principle 3—Individual Assessment
- Continuum for Standards-Based Grading Principle 1—Team Assessment
- Continuum for Standards-Based Grading Principle 2—Team Assessment
- Continuum for Standards-Based Grading Principle 3—Team Assessment
- Continuum for Implementing Standards-Based Grading Schoolwide or Districtwide
- Action-Plan Template for Standards-Based Grading Principle 1
- Action-Plan Template for Standards-Based Grading Principle 2
- Action-Plan Template for Standards-Based Grading Principle 3
- Action-Plan Template for Implementation of Standards-Based Grading Schoolwide or Districtwide
SUGGESTED RESOURCES
BOOKS
- Buffum, A., Mattos, M., & Malone, J. (2018). Taking Action: A Handbook for RTI at Work. Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree Press.
- Buffum, A., Mattos, M., & Weber, C. (2012). Simplifying Response to Intervention: Four Essential Guiding Principles. Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree Press.
- Conzemius, A. E., & O’Neill, J. (2014). The Handbook for SMART School Teams: Revitalizing Best Practices for Collaboration (2nd ed.). Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree Press.
- DuFour, R., DuFour, R., & Eaker, R. (2008). Revisiting Professional Learning Communities at Work: New Insights for Improving Schools. Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree Press.
- DuFour, R., DuFour, R., Eaker, R., & Karhanek, G. (2010). Raising the Bar and Closing the Gap: Whatever It Takes. Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree Press.
- DuFour, R., DuFour, R., Eaker, R., Many, T. W., & Mattos, M. (2016). Learning by Doing: A Handbook for Professional Learning Communities at Work (3rd ed.). Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree Press.
- DuFour, R., & Marzano, R. J. (2011). Leaders of Learning: How District, School, and Classroom Leaders Improve Student Achievement. Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree Press.
- Garry, A., Fodchuk, A., & Hobbs, L. (2018). Personalizing Learning Through Voice and Choice. Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree Press.
- Graham, P., & Ferriter, W. M. (2010). Building a Professional Learning Community at Work: A Guide to the First Year. Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree Press.
- Guskey, T. R. (2015). On Your Mark: Challenging the Conventions of Grading and Reporting. Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree Press.
- Heflebower, T., Hoegh, J. K., & Warrick, P. B. (2014). A School Leader’s Guide to Standards-Based Grading. Bloomington, IN: Marzano Resources.
- Marzano, R. J. (2010). Formative Assessment and Standards-Based Grading. Bloomington, IN: Marzano Resources.
- Marzano, R. J., & Waters, T. (2009). District Leadership That Works: Striking the Right Balance. Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree Press.
- Reeves, D. (2016). FAST Grading: A Guide to Implementing Best Practices. Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree Press.
- Schimmer, T. (2016). Grading From the Inside Out: Bringing Accuracy to Student Assessment Through a Standards-Based Mindset. Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree Press.
- Schimmer, T., Hillman, G., & Stalets, M. (2018). Standards-Based Learning in Action: Moving From Theory to Practice. Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree Press.
WEBSITES
Chapter 3
