This document discusses how a high school in Pennsylvania changed their assessment culture in Algebra 1 classes. They implemented standards-based grading with retakes and redos to allow students to show mastery of concepts. Teachers utilized block scheduling, co-teaching, and an RTII period for individualized instruction and remediation. Student feedback supported the changes, saying it helped them learn without fear of single tests. The school worked to expand these practices to other subjects and get support from colleagues.

1. Changing Assessment Cultures in
Algebra 1: How We Did It!
Bob Lochel, @bobloch
Jim Greenberg, Cathy Haas, Julia Schellhammer
Hatboro-Horsham HS. Horsham PA

2. • 1600 students, grades 9-12
• Recent shift – Algebra 1 in 8th grade for
majority
• ~ 40 students: Topics in Algebra
• Block scheduling: 9th grade
• Semester 1 – Algebra 1
• Semester 2 – Prob/Stat (co-taught)
• Keystone Exam focus

3. THINK ABOUT…
What happens after a test is
taken and graded in your class?
Can students articulate their
areas of strength / weakness?

4. New Material
Lecture
Assessment
Practice
Review
Reflection?
Growth?
Opportunity?

5. It’s co-taught -
we need to
collect probes
for IEP.
STUDENTS
AREN’T AWARE
OF THEIR OWN
NEEDS.
STANDARDS – BASED GRADING
REDOS / RETAKES
Can’t let them fall
behind early.
Different
individuals have
different gaps.
Kids need to revisit material
if they don’t master it the
first time.

6. “Standards Based Grading”
“Redos, Retakes and Do-Overs”
Educational Leadership,
November 2011

7. #SBLCHAT, WEDNESDAYS AT 9PM
(STANDARDS-BASED LEARNING)

9. ALIGN CLASS
STANDARDS TO
KEYSTONE ALGEBRA
ELIGIBLE CONTENT
“I CAN” STATEMENTS
STUDENT DATA
BINDERS

10. GRADEBOOK RE-DESIGN

11. EXPLAIN
JUSTIFY
COMMUNICATE
STUDENTS
PARENTS
COLLEAGUES
ADMINS

13. New Material
Lecture
Assessment
Practice
Review
LEARN
PRACTICE
ASSESS
SMALL
GROUP
ACTIVITIES
REFLECT
REMEDIATE
RE-DO

15. “I had 200 baseball cards, every
minute I unwrapped 30 more”
LINEAR FUNCTION
STORIES

17. FRIDAYS – REDO DAY
THURSDAY – DECLARE YOUR REDO
3.2 REDO (Systems by Substitution)
Meet with Mr. L for practice
Damian Mike
Shawna Lisa
Tommy Brian
DJ
3.1 REDO (Systems by Graphing)
Meet with Mrs. H for practice
Kevin Janet
Jack Dominic
Brytan Cathy
Bob

18. FRIDAYS – REDO DAY

19. UTILIZE RTII PERIOD
PERIOD 1
PERIOD 2
PERIOD 3 (H.A.T.S.)
PERIOD 4
PERIOD 5
3 Math Teachers
3 Special Ed Teachers
Individual remediation
opportunities
Manage Redos

21. KEYSTONE TUESDAYS

22. STUDENT FEEBACK:
Would you rather have smaller quizzes, or bigger tests?
Smaller. I am able to remember what we have learned
Smaller quizzes that way we’re not overthinking all the math on a test at
one time I believe it is way more helpful to just do quizzes
Big tests, YoLo
I like small quizzes
because the info is
still fresh in my head

23. STUDENT FEEDBACK:
What is your opinion on our class redo/retake policy?
I think it was a good idea it gives me a chance to not only bring my grade up but I can
go back and see where my mistake was and correct and really get the
chance to understand it instead of just getting it wrong and being graded on my
mistake without getting a chance to redeem myself
I LOVE IT. I can do better then what I did last time

25. •Improve student self-advocacy before redo
•Improve quality / focus of assessments
•Utilize HATS period to provide individual
attention
• “Flip” lessons strategically
•Improve note-taking for each standard

26. GETTING COLLEAGUES ON BOARD
AP STATS – Chapter Test “Second Chances”
ALGEBRA 2 – Skill quizzes: Factoring w/redos
CALC – Redo Chances for skills
DIFFERENTIATED SUPERVISION PROJECT –
“Fair Isn’t Always Equal” with instructional coaches

27. JOIN THE CONVERSATION…
• #SBLCHAT, Wednesday at 9PM
• (@drjolly, @WHSRowe, @garnet_hillman, @RickWormeli2)
• @bobloch