PROFICIENCY-BASEDLEARNING &GRADING

Medford School District 549C

Why the change?• Oregon’s new graduation requirements

include passing state exams in reading,writing and math in order to receive a regulardiploma.

• In addition the course requirements to receivehigh school credit and meet college entrancerequirements have become much morerigorous.

Oregon House Bill 2220 now requires schooldistricts to develop proficiency gradingsystems

Other Developments that haveprompted change

• Recognition of inconsistences in the grading policies andpractices of elementary , middle and high schooleducators shows a need for change.

• The growing emphasis on standards and performanceassessments makes current reporting practicesinadequate.

• Growing awareness of the gap between our knowledge ofbetter grading and reporting methods and currentpractice, necessitates change.

Comprehensive Grade and ReportingSystem

Process ActivityPoster Walk:• Divide into teams

• Visit each poster. Read the Quote. As a team discuss.Come to consensus about the quote and write yourconsensus under the quote:Agree + Somewhat agree - Disagree

• Write a comment on the poster to explain your group’sconsensus. Be sure to visit each poster.

• Sit down when your team has finished.

HB 2220Old Language New LanguageMeasure Student’s progress in achieving the academiccontent standards for the student’s current grade level.

Measure Student’s progress in becoming proficient inthe knowledge and skills of the student’s currentgrade level.

Determine the grade level of the understanding,knowledge or ability of a student which shall bedetermined regardless of the actual grade level of astudent and may be determined by adapting theassessment during the assessment process as a resultof the performance of the student.

Determine the proficiency of the student, which shallbe determined regardless of the actual grade level of astudent and may be determined by adapting theassessment during the assessment process as a resultof the performance of the student.

Progress toward the academic content standards shallbe measured in a manner that clearly enables thestudent and parents to know whether the student ismaking progress or exceeding the academic contentstandards.

Clearly show the student and parents whether thestudent is making progress or exceeding the academiccontent standards at the student’s current gradelevel and be based on the student’s progresstoward becoming proficient in a continuum ofknowledge and skills.

The district shall adopt a grading system based on thelocal school district board adopted course content of thedistrict’s curriculum. The grading system shall clearlyenable the student and parents to know how well thestudent is achieving course requirements.

The district shall adopt a grading system based on thelocal school district board adopted course content of thedistrict’s curriculum. The grading system shall clearlyshow the student and parents whether the student isachieving course requirements at the student’scurrent grade level, and be based on the student’sprogress toward becoming proficient in acontinuum of knowledge and skills.

Grading changes:A proficiency grade will focus entirely on what a student

needs to know and be able to do.Students will know what their learning targets are and

what they need to do to reach proficiency.Non-academic factors such as behaviors, work ethic, and

attitude are important but will be reported separately.Grades will be based on clearly defined state and national

standards that are directly tied to student graduation.Detailed information about students’ progress towards

proficiency will be reported in addition to a traditional lettergrade.

HOW WILL ALL OF THIS IMPACTYOUR STUDENT’S GRADES?

Categories used to look something likethis…

Traditional Grade Categories Tests Quizzes Homework Projects Participation Extra Credit

Categories for Proficiency

New CategoriesReporting Standards

by Subject Area(determined by PLC)

New CategoriesState Standards by

Subject Area

REPORTINGPROGRESS TOWARDSPROFICIENCY

Middle School Proficiency Continuum• Mastery (MAS) the traditional A…Through extensive evidence, the

student consistently surpasses the proficient level anddemonstrates an in-depth understanding of the standard.

• Proficient (PRO) the traditional B…The student regularly meetsthe standard and demonstrates a working knowledge of essentialskills, while there are still some weaknesses, the strengths aredominant.

• Approaching (APP) the traditional C…Though student isoccasionally demonstrating a working knowledge of the essentialskills that encompass the standard, there are still moreweaknesses than strengths.

• Developing (DEV) the traditional D…show partial understandingand some skill demonstrated with greater omissions or errorsevident.

• Beginning (BEG) the traditional F… No understanding or skilldemonstrated yet.

High School Proficiency Continuum• Mastery (MAS) A - Through extensive evidence, the student

demonstrates superior academic performance, an in-depth understandingof the standard, and an ability to apply knowledge and strategies tocomplex problems.

• Advanced (ADV) B - The student consistently meets and sometimesexceeds the basic level and demonstrates a complete understanding ofthe standard.

• Meets (MTS) C - The student generally meets the standard anddemonstrates a basic knowledge of essential skills, some errors may bepresent, but the strengths are dominant.

• Approaching (APP) F/not yet passing - Though student is occasionallydemonstrating a working knowledge of the essential skills that encompassthe standard, there are still more weaknesses than strengths.

• Beginning (BEG) F - Little or No understanding or skill demonstratedyet.

NEXT STEPS…

Time Line2012-2013 School Year:

o Building shared knowledge of proficiency teaching and learningpractice

o Pilot proficiency grading at middle and high schoolso Continued research and development of new report card and

process reportso Parent and student focus groups for feedback on report cardo Align report card with state and newly adopted Common Core State

Standards2013-2014 School Year:

o Full implementation of proficiency-based teaching and learning atall secondary schools

o Continued development of new report cardo Continued parent and student focus groups

Where to Find InformationDistrict Web site: Grading and Reporting Link (Underdevelopment)What you will find here:• Frequently asked questions• List of standards for each grade level and course• Other pertinent information

Once up and running, information will be continuallyupdated so be sure to check often!

Questions

Please don’t hesitate to email, call,or come in person to your schools

to ask questions.

Thank you for coming.