Is Standards-Based Grading Worth It?
Are the current shifts in grading practices worth it? Think about all the time, effort, and resources used to shift from a 100-point grading scale to a 5-point scale. Is it actually worth it? Is there, or will there be, an actual return on the investment? The costs are high. The investments are weighty. Is standards-based grading worth it? Here's a serious look at the what, the why, and the cost of standards-based grading. The Costs of Standards-Based Grading If you've experienced a district who changed to "standards-based" grading and reporting, you've undoubtedly experienced some of the costs. Here are a few: Leadership training including principals, curriculum teams, and board of trustees. Teacher training. Public information meetings. Parent-teacher meetings. Changes in grading software. Changes in classroom grading and assessment practices. Misunderstandings by students. Another "new" way with an array of misconceptions. Oppo