Standards-Based Reporting: “Exceeds the Standard”

Students achieving at the “Exceeds the Standard” level demonstrate superior academic performance. Advanced work indicates an in-depth understanding or exemplary display of the skills included in the Academic Content Standards.

These students:

  • Demonstrate broad in-depth understanding of complex grade-level concepts and skills;
  • Make abstract, insightful, complex connections among ideas beyond the obvious;
  • Provide extensive evidence for inferences and justifications of solutions;
  • Independently apply grade-level knowledge and skills to develop new understanding and solutions;
  • Communicate effectively and thoroughly, with sophistication;

The teacher of these students:

  • Has documented the accomplishment of the above achievements;
  • Has addressed the specifics relating to the assignment of the “E” grade in the comment section of the report card;
  • When appropriate, has provided opportunities for more complex work within the grade level standard, providing for a deeper understanding

An “Exceeds the Standard” level of academic performance (“E”) is NOT:

  • Given because of 100% correct on collective quizzes, tests or assignments;
  • Given because of a score of “Advanced/Accelerated” on OAT (as the achievement tests provide only a snapshot of achievement and only with selected Standards being assessed);
  • Given ONLY if a student earns an “E” on EVERY indicator within a Standard as an “E” is not always attainable (or available) for certain grade level indicators;
  • Given for additional work by the student, but rather a completion of more complex work by the student that occurs within the standard(s) being assessed

Additional Points for Consideration:

  • Discuss the above with parents at Curriculum Night to continue to gain a clear understanding;
  • Due to the standards and indicators taught in a particular subject and/or quarter, an “M” may be the highest grade attainable for that quarter;
  • Changes in student’s grades can be a result of complexity of curriculum and/or growth spurts or plateaus, which are naturally occurring in a child’s development

What do those marks on my child’s paper mean?!?!?

This guide should alleviate some confusion about what the marks on your child’s work mean.

*In class, students are encouraged to put a check mark (in red) next to items that are correct when papers are gone over together. They are also asked to write in the correction (in red) for answers that were wrong. In doing so, they are aware of mistakes and can figure out their error.

*Homework and classwork directly related to the standards covered will have a 1, 2, 3, or 4 at the top. These “scores” directly correlate to the report card scale:

1 = Outstanding2 = Good3 = Satisfactory4 = Minimal

*There will be occasional assignments that cover skills from previous grade levels that are “steps” to more advanced/grade-level work. This practice may receive a check mark, star, sticker, or other non-numerical indicator of teacher review.

*Any assessments (tests) or projects will be graded using E, M, P, or I as on the report card. An explanation of that scale is below:

E = EXCEEDS achievement of the grade-level academic standards.

(To receive this score, students must consistently perform at levels above and beyond expectation.)

M = MEETS achievement of grade level standards.

(To receive this score, students will demonstrate mastery of ALL standards assessed.)

P = PROGRESSING towards the grade-level academic standards.

(More practice is needed to meet the standard, but there is effort of effort and academic growth.)

I- INSUFFICIENT progress towards grade level standards.

(Significant work is needed to develop basic skills.)