Standards-based Practices

INTRODUCTION TO STANDARDS-BASED PRACTICES

The Southwestern Union K-12 Educational System is beginning the process of transitioning to standards-based practices.  As noted below, this transition will be phased in over the next four years, beginning in in the 2020-21 school year.  

Purpose:  Standards-based refers to integrated systems of instruction, assessment, grading, and reporting that are based on students demonstrating understanding or proficiency of the knowledge and skills they are expected to learn as they progress through their education.  This concept aligns with the EDUCATION by Design Framework that emphasizes coherence among the key components of teaching and learning, leading to a shared vision.   

Plan:  Four-year Standards-based Implementation Plan 

Year  One:  Curriculum Development,  Communication, and Professional Development

Year  Two:  Further Capacity Building through  Professional Development

Year  Three:  Implementation

Year  Four:  Continuation and Support 

Practice:   Standards-based Curriculum Processes 

Prioritize  Standards

Unpack  Standards to Create Learning Targets

Organize  Targets into Proficiency Scales (P-Scales)

Group  Standards into Units (Year-long Context)

Plan Instruction  

Plan for  Assessment

Determine  Grading, Feedback, and Reporting Practices

Communicate  with Stakeholders

Apply  to Exceptional Learners  

Product:  Standards-based practices will provide a set of outcomes/metrics that will enable the measurement of the vision components of the EDUCATION by Design Framework.  These outcomes include the areas of curriculum, instruction, assessment, and learning environment.  

Resources:  The following books, white papers, and webinars will provide an overview of standards-based practices. 

Books 

A Teacher’s Guide to Standards-based Learning by T. Heflebower, J. K. Hoegh, P. B. Warrick, & J. Flygare 

A School Leader’s Guide to Standards-based Grading by M. Hoback, M. McInteer, & Bev Clemens 

The Essentials for Standards-driven Classrooms by C.Moore, M. D. Toth, & R. J. Marzano 

A Handbook for Developing and Using Proficiency Scales in the Classroom by J. K. Hoegh 

The New Art and Science of Teaching by R. J. Marzano 

The New Art and Science of Classroom Assessment by R. J. Marzano, J. S. Norford, & M. Ruyle 

Related Books 

Understanding by Design Meets Neuroscience by J. McTighe & J. Willis

Get Set, Go!  Creating Successful Grading and Reporting Systems by T. Guskey 

Leading Modern Learning:  A Blueprint for Vision-driven Schools by J. McTighe & G. Curtis

White Papers 

Comprehensive and Balanced Assessment Systems 

Grading in a Comprehensive and Balanced Assessment System 

Webinars 

A Teacher’s Guide to Standards-based Learning 

The Importance of Proficiency Scales in a Standards-based Classroom 

Creating Valid and Reliable Classroom Assessments 

Standards-based Grading for Teachers and School Leaders 

Comprehensive and Balanced Assessment Systems