Hello,
I teach kindergarten in a Common Core Standards State. I'm not sure if you are referring to Common Core Standards or other standards, but I think I might be able to help a tiny bit. First, I would highly recommend you meet with your son's teacher and ask for her or his explanation of their grading system. Some schools and districts have universal agreements for grade levels on what is considered meeting the standard or most likely multiple standards for assessments. The assessment are to see if your child has met the standards. All the standards for each grade level are to be met by the end of the year. Some standards your child will meet before the end of the year. An example would be the 98% to me would indicate meeting the standard for that assessment. The 68% would indicate that some more learning needs to happen before meeting the end of year standards. Also schools and districts generally do not require complete mastery or 100% to determine proficiency or meeting the standard. Some go from 75% on up, others may be lower or higher. This is also why you need to meet with your child's teacher to get clarification on what is considered meeting the standards.
Your school system may use rubrics to score meeting the assessment, this is often done in literacy areas especially writing. With ideas like demonstrating using ending marks, using capitals, using sight words, and so on. The rubrics are and should be shared with students too so they know what they are trying to accomplish and what is being monitored or what is considered meeting the standards for writing.
I personally would only use a checklist for observable behaviors, an example would be knew where to begin reading, which is not a standard, but a skill needed to eventually meet the many standards wrapped around reading. We are trying to be more evidence based in education. Samples, and assessments as well as observations can be used to learn if students are meeting the standards or are not yet meeting the standards.
I sense also that you might be frustrated by the academic rigor now expected of 1st grade students who are now expected to take 7 page tests. It is a lot. I too as a teacher also sometimes feel frustrated at the rigor and often question if the standards are developmentally appropriate for all or even most. So I again encourage you to talk with your child's teacher. You may be close to agreement and can work together to figure out how to best support your child in the Standards era.
Best Wishes,
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Joanne Ensign
San Diego CA
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Original Message:
Sent: 11-23-2019 01:32 PM
From: Ellen Grahl
Subject: Is this standards based?
My son's school recently (2 years ago) switched to standards-based grading for grades K-2. He is currently in 1st grade and I am seeing tests for this trimester with grades like 98% A and 68% F on them. I thought standards based grading was more of following a rubric or a checklist not just slapping a number on a 7 page test (yes my 1st grader is doing 7 page tests). Please help.
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Ellen Grahl
Hasbrouck Hts NJ
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