In recent years, the winds of change have been blowing through the halls of education, with many schools and districts looking for alternative approaches to assessing student progress. Standards-based grading, once the darling of the education world, has been met with increasing criticism for its inability to foster creativity, critical thinking, and personal growth.
This article explores five case studies of schools and districts that have successfully transitioned away from standards-based grading, embracing alternative methods that provide a more holistic view of student achievement.
1. The Power of Portfolios: The High Tech High Experience
San Diego’s High Tech High is a project-based learning school that has bid adieu to traditional grading systems. Instead, students create digital portfolios to showcase their work, which includes art, written pieces, and multimedia projects. This method allows students to reflect on their learning experiences and demonstrate their growth over time.
As Larry Rosenstock, High Tech High’s founder and CEO, succinctly puts it, “We measure learning, not seat time.”
2. Mastery Learning Takes Center Stage: The Khan Academy Approach
Khan Academy, a pioneer in online education, is committed to mastery learning. This approach emphasizes the importance of students mastering a topic before moving on to the next one. Instead of grades, students receive immediate feedback through quizzes, tests, and hints.
Salman Khan, the founder of Khan Academy, believes that mastery learning reduces anxiety, fosters curiosity, and helps students develop a growth mindset.
3. Assessing Skills, Not Scores: The Competency-Based Education Model
Competency-based education (CBE) focuses on students’ acquisition of specific skills and knowledge rather than their performance on traditional exams. New Hampshire’s Sanborn Regional School District is a shining example of CBE implementation. Students progress at their own pace, and teachers assess their competencies based on rigorous standards.
Dr. Brian Stack, Sanborn’s principal, praises CBE for its ability to prepare students for “the real world,” where success is often determined by one’s ability to apply skills and knowledge in practical situations.
4. Empowering Students Through Proficiency Grading
The proficiency-based grading system, a method that assesses students based on their demonstrated skills and understanding, has gained traction in schools across the nation. The Putney School in Vermont is one such institution that has successfully adopted this proficiency-based grading system. Students at Putney are assessed on their ability to meet specific learning targets, with faculty members providing detailed feedback on their progress.
In this approach, students take ownership of their learning, leading to a more engaged and motivated student body. The school’s head, Emily Jones, highlights that the proficiency-based grading system “promotes a growth mindset and allows students to see their progress as a continuum, not a fixed point.
5. The Balanced Assessment Approach: A Harmony of Methods
In an effort to find a more comprehensive assessment approach, some schools have embraced a balanced assessment model, which combines various evaluation methods. Eagle Rock School in Colorado, for example, utilizes a mix of traditional exams, self-assessments, and project-based evaluations. Jeff Liddle, Eagle Rock’s head of school, believes that this approach enables educators to “paint a more complete picture of each student’s learning, providing a richer understanding of their strengths and areas for improvement.”
As these case studies demonstrate, there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to assessing student achievement. By embracing alternative methods such as portfolio-based assessments, mastery learning, competency-based education, and balanced assessment models, schools and districts are proving that it is possible to move beyond standards-based grading.
In doing so, they are fostering a more inclusive, engaging, and empowering learning environment that encourages students to develop the skills and knowledge necessary for success in the 21st century. By learning from these innovative institutions, educators around the world can continue to evolve and adapt their assessment practices to better serve the diverse needs of their students.
As we continue to explore the shifting landscape of education, it is essential to keep an open mind and embrace new ideas. These case studies serve as an inspiration for schools and districts worldwide, demonstrating that there are viable alternatives to traditional grading systems.
By doing so, we can create learning environments that not only assess student achievement more effectively but also promote growth, creativity, and critical thinking – essential skills for today’s rapidly changing world.
Also read: 10 Best Tips for Planning An Effective Curriculum for The School Year
