| Middle School Standards-based Grading
Lakeridge Middle School
 Parent Information Night presentation
What’s the change? This year, Sumner School District is piloting a standards-based grading and reporting system at all three middle schools, at all grade levels, and in many courses. For students in a class where the teacher is piloting this grading system, there will be more than one mark for that course, giving students and parents a clearer picture of student performance. Most families should be familiar with standards-based grading, which has been in use at the elementary level since 2003.
Why change?
Standards-based grading and reporting is a well-researched approach to measuring student progress both locally and nationally, measuring what a student should know and be able to do at each grade level based upon State and District standards. A reporting system with this level of detail communicates more information to focus student learning and guide teacher instructional decisions. Expanding this grading system will provide families and students with a consistent grading approach K-8.
What does it mean for us?
During the pilot year, you and your child may experience two different types of grade marks on two different report cards: traditional marks (A, B, C, D, F) and standards-based marks (4, 3, 2, 1, IE, NA). Lists of piloting teachers will be posted on each school’s Web page and at open house during schedule pick-up in August. You will also know your child has a teacher who is piloting when you enter the Family Access gradebook and you see a course with assignments having a 1-4 score rather than with percentages and letter grades. Some students may have some teachers using the traditional gradebook and some using the standards-based gradebook, which means that the marks in these classes will look very different from one another.
What opportunities will families have for feedback?
We are all learning this new process together, and your patience, flexibility and input will be essential for creating a system that best reflects student learning. Throughout the year we will provide numerous opportunities for student, parent and teacher interaction and feedback. Please watch for periodic updates and invitations to participate in surveys. We will also be recruiting at least one parent from each school to participate in the middle school standards-based reporting committee this year. If you are interested, please contact Leslie Lauretano at 253-891-6056.
Where can I find more information?
For a detailed explanation about the middle school standards-based grading initiative and how it promotes learning, please browse the document collection at left.
Standards-based Grading Timeline
Middle School Standards-based Grading Initiative
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