Updated Lippold Grading Policy
Dear Students & Parents-
This year I will be piloting a standards-based grading policy in English Language Arts, History, and Communication Arts. This grading policy is a blend of the standards-based grading system used in PVSD in grades K-5 and the traditional “A-F” grading system used by PVSD in grades 6-8.
The grading policy that I will be transitioning to is a research-based grading practice from Grading for Equity and A School Leader’s Guide to Standards-Based Grading that will ensure the following:
The implementation of this will be a gradual process. This year, I will do the following:
My focus as a teacher continues to be on educating the whole child and providing quality, standards-based instruction for each student. My shift in my grading policy is to provide clarity and transparency in communicating progress toward mastery of standards. By removing non-academic factors (general behavior, punctuality, effort, and work habits) from the academic grade and ensuring students have multiple means and opportunities to demonstrate mastery, my academic grades will more accurately reflect student knowledge and skill.
My standards will remain rigorous, relevant, and aligned to Common Core State Standards. By providing opportunities for revision and reassessment, this shift will allow students to relearn content or material that they may not have fully understood the first time it was taught. Students will be able to learn from their mistakes and demonstrate mastery of knowledge at more than just one point in time.
Please see the attached multi-page Google spreadsheet 6 ELA: Grading Checklist Lippold that will be used to finalize your student’s grades at mid-term Progress Reports and Report Cards. Students will be asked to self-evaluate their skills on each standard using hyperlinks to relevant assignments. Their feedback will be used to calculate their final grade for Progress Reports and Report Cards.
Thank you for partnering with me on this brave new journey in grading. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Warm Regards,
Ms. Jennifer Lippold, M.Ed
6th Grade ELA & History Teacher
This year I will be piloting a standards-based grading policy in English Language Arts, History, and Communication Arts. This grading policy is a blend of the standards-based grading system used in PVSD in grades K-5 and the traditional “A-F” grading system used by PVSD in grades 6-8.
The grading policy that I will be transitioning to is a research-based grading practice from Grading for Equity and A School Leader’s Guide to Standards-Based Grading that will ensure the following:
- Clearly defined and distinguished academic marks from citizenship marks
- Opportunities for revision and reassessment, and
- Inclusion of specific, actionable feedback for students on progress towards mastery of standards
The implementation of this will be a gradual process. This year, I will do the following:
- Use updated academic marks on assignments:
- 0: Standards/Assignment Not Attempted,
- 1: Standards Nearly Met,
- 2: Standards Met,
- 3: Standards Always Met
- Provide standards-based feedback and comments:
- Provided in the “Comments” section of Student/Parent Connect
- Utilize proficiency scales or standards-aligned rubrics to communicate progress towards mastery of standards:
- Provided on Google Classroom and paper-based assignments.
My focus as a teacher continues to be on educating the whole child and providing quality, standards-based instruction for each student. My shift in my grading policy is to provide clarity and transparency in communicating progress toward mastery of standards. By removing non-academic factors (general behavior, punctuality, effort, and work habits) from the academic grade and ensuring students have multiple means and opportunities to demonstrate mastery, my academic grades will more accurately reflect student knowledge and skill.
My standards will remain rigorous, relevant, and aligned to Common Core State Standards. By providing opportunities for revision and reassessment, this shift will allow students to relearn content or material that they may not have fully understood the first time it was taught. Students will be able to learn from their mistakes and demonstrate mastery of knowledge at more than just one point in time.
Please see the attached multi-page Google spreadsheet 6 ELA: Grading Checklist Lippold that will be used to finalize your student’s grades at mid-term Progress Reports and Report Cards. Students will be asked to self-evaluate their skills on each standard using hyperlinks to relevant assignments. Their feedback will be used to calculate their final grade for Progress Reports and Report Cards.
Thank you for partnering with me on this brave new journey in grading. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Warm Regards,
Ms. Jennifer Lippold, M.Ed
6th Grade ELA & History Teacher
