Repair Kit for Grading - Fix 8

Fix 8: Don't assign grades using inappropriate or unclear performance standards; provide clear descriptions of achievement expectations.

The first thing that needs to be done to create a high-quality and organized grading system is to set clear learning objectives.  These can have many different names; learning targets, objectives, goals, power standards, etc...  Regardless of their name, these should be established by a team of teachers.  By going through the process of establishing the essential learning, teachers have the opportunity to work with the standards and get to know exactly what it is that students need to know.

The second thing that needs to happen is for the team of teachers to develop indicators of performance.  Whether it be something as simple as proficient or not proficient, or a 4 points scale of exceeds, meets, partially meets, does not meet.  But, it is vital these indicators are discussed and agreed upon with clear definitions.

Rubrics create a clear roadmap of what needs to be accomplished to reach certain performance standards.  The use of rubrics is key into developing a standards-based report card system.  Creating them does take a little work, but once created the teacher can clearly communicate particular marks given.