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SBG isn't the first step.
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Hey Reader, When I talk with educators around the country about standards-based grading, I hear a lot of the same concerns. "I'd love to do it, but our gradebook doesn't work that way." And I get it. These are all totally valid concerns. Standards-based grading can feel like a BIG change. Because it can absolutely be a BIG change. And I think that is because we sometimes start the conversation in the wrong place. Before we worry too much about standards-based grading, we should first think about standards-based instruction. Because the most important thing isn't how we report the grade, but rather how accurately that grade represents what a student actually knows and can do. So instead of starting with a complete overhaul of your grading system, start with your instruction.
If we can get better at those things, the information underneath the grade gets better, too. You might still have to (or want to) put an A, B, C, D, or F into your gradebook. Or you might still have to report a percentage. That's okay. Seriously. Regardless of what we put in the gradebook, whether it's a letter, a percentage, or even an emoji, as long as it is based on instruction that is more standards-aligned, outcome-focused, and mastery-based, it's going to be a more accurate reflection of student learning. (Side note: I am not advocating for using emojis in your gradebook.) The best part is, you can start making your instruction standards-based without changing your entire grading system. Here's something you can try: Take one assessment you're already using and ask yourself three questions:
That's it. Don't touch your gradebook. Don't worry about your district changing its grading policy. Don't worry about having the perfect SBG system figured out. You can make bigger changes later. For now, start with the learning itself. Get clearer about the outcomes, make sure your instruction and assessments align to those outcomes, gather better evidence of what students actually know and can do, and then make whatever grade you have to report as accurate a reflection of that learning as you possibly can. We've never been about being perfect here. It's always been about being a little better each day. So, start small. A little better today. A little better tomorrow. I'll see you next week. Chad One more thing 👉 If you haven't yet, you should jump into the new Teach Better Academy. Use this link to grab 30 days of full access to all paid courses and the opportunity to lock in the current price. (You can always cancel before the 30 days to keep your free account and access) [CLICK HERE TO GRAB THIS DEAL]
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Teach Better Team
Join thousands of educators learning together to increase student success in their classroom, their schools, or their district. Innovated ideas, resources, and support, delivered straight to your inbox every week.
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