Educational upgrade
What parents need to know about the new grading standards BY MARY JO HOTZLER
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or generations, school-aged children (and their parents) have measured academic progress the same way, with a single letter grade of A, B, C, D or F. It was a simple way of knowing if you were passing, failing or something in between. But times are changing, and if you’re a parent of a child in an area school district you’ve probably already noticed that. In recent years, schools everywhere have shifted to something called standards-based grading. The old A, B, C-letter grades have given way to something equally simplistic — 4,3,2,1 — but the philosophy behind this new grading system is more nuanced and less rigid than the one many of us grew up with. The focus is on learning. “As we think about the traditional letter grade system, it is very subjective and can
include reduced grades for late assignments, absences, extra credit or other behaviors of students,” explained Dr. Liann Hanson, Fargo Public Schools director of standards based education. “The traditional grading system does not tell us what areas of the learning students have mastered and what areas they need to continue to focus on.”
Understanding the approach A quick explainer for those new to the topic: Students today have a prioritized set of standards known as Essential Learning Outcomes, or ELOs. These standards define what students will learn in multiple content areas. They emphasize critical thinking, creativity, problem solving, collaboration and communication. When it comes to measuring success, “4” means advanced, “3” means proficient (the student has met expectations), “2” means
The upgraded educational standards being used in area schools is intended to provide more information about what areas of learning students have mastered and those that need additional work. iStock / Special to On the Minds of Moms 30 | On the Minds of Moms • December | January 2022
