The webinar focuses on adopting a standards-based mindset in education, highlighting the differences between traditional grading systems and standards-based approaches. Key topics include defining priority standards, using proficiency scales for assessment, and implementing effective grading practices. Attendees are encouraged to utilize tools like learning management systems to monitor and enhance student progress.

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Welcome to our Webinar
How to Adopt a Standards-
Based Mindset

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Kellie Ady, Senior Director of
Instructional Technology, Schoology
Meet the Presenters
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Joe Vassallo, Product Engagement
Specialist, Schoology

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Agenda
● Introductions
● What is a standards-based mindset?
● Where do you start?
● What grading practices need to be explored?
● How can technology support a standards-based mindset?
● What can I try to implement today or tomorrow?
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What are some problems with “traditional”
approaches (when it comes to learning)?
● Consistency is, well, inconsistent.
● Fuzzy math - what the difference between getting 78 and 74?
● How come there’s a 10 point range for an A, but 60 point range for an F?
● 0 usually = missing work, not missing concepts.
● Averages are for batting, not learning.
● Extra credit =extra learning?
● There’s a gap when trying to find gaps.

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Compare/Contrast of Approaches
Can use
numbers or
letters
Standards-based
System
TraditionalGrading
System
Is used to
convey
student
progress
Is scalable
when using
tech
Use multiple
pieces of
evidence
Based on
assessment types
(quiz, homework)
Often includes
extra credit or
zeros and group
scores
Based on a
percentage system
or holistic letter
grades
Based on learning goals
and performance
standards
Only measures
achievement. No
extra credit or
zeros
Only items meant to
measure
achievement are
scored
Can be used
for
elementary
& secondary
Based on different
proficiency levels for
standards
All items are
recorded or scored
in the gradebook
“Grade” is based on
most-recent
evidence
Overall grade is
based on an
average of different
items
Single grade
given per
course
Multiple grades
given per
course
Adapted from How to Grade for Learning: Linking Grades to
Standards. K. O’Connor, 2002.

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Poll Question:
Are you currently using a standards-based approach?

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Standards-based Approach or Mindset
What Do We Want Students To Know?
How Do We Know Students Are Learning?
COLLABORATIVE
PLANNING
ADAPTING AND
REFINING
TEACHING AND
LEARNING
UNDERSTANDING
STUDENT PROGRESS
How Do We Teach Effectively?
How Do We Respond To Student Needs?

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What do we want students to know,
understand, & do?

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What are priority standards?
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Priority standards are a carefully
selected subset of the total list of the
grade‐specific and course‐specific
standards within each content area that
students must know and be able to do by
the end of each school year in order to be
prepared to enter the next grade level or
course.
(Ainsworth, Rigorous Curriculum Design,
2010)
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What are proficiency scales?
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A proficiency scale, defines a learning progression or set of learning goals for a
specific topic, relative to a given standard.
(A Teacher's Guide to Standards-Based Learning: (An Instruction Manual for Adopting Standards-Based Grading, Curriculum, and
Feedback). Marzano Research, 2019.)
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4.0 Advanced Content
3.0 Target Content
2.0 Simpler Content Necessary for
Proficiency
1.0 With help, partial success with
score 2.0 and score 3.0 content

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How do we teach effectively?

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How are proficiency scales used for learning? Hint:
think rubrics
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4.0 Advanced Content
3.0 Target Content
2.0 Simpler Content Necessary for Proficiency
1.0 With help, partial success with score 2.0 and score 3.0 content

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How is the learning structured?
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4.0 Advanced Content
3.0 Target Content
2.0 Simpler Content Necessary for Proficiency
1.0 With help, partial success with score 2.0 and score 3.0 content

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Poll Question:
Are you using rubrics currently to assess student work?

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How do we know students are learning?

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Factor in the “0” factor
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How can we monitor learning against standards?
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“We need a monitoring system that allows us to track student progress on specific standards.” - Marzano,
How and Why Standards Can Improve Student Achievement: A Conversation with Robert J. Marzano

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How do we meet student needs?

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Poll Question:
Are you currently using something to track student
mastery against standards?

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Try More Tries
2020

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Differentiating based on proficiency
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22. CONFIDENTIAL
What should I start doing? Stop doing?
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● Use a tool (like an LMS) that provides ways to Plan, Engage,
Monitor and Adjust
● Identify which standards are “essential” or of top priority
● Define proficiency scales (and share with students)
● Use rubrics to assess student progress that align to priority
standards and scales
● Give 0’s for a behavior (like not turning in an assignment)
● Only allow a single attempt for students to demonstrate KUD’s
● Score everything (only “record” good evidence of learning)

23. CONFIDENTIAL