Work to refine grading, reporting system remains a focus for Federal Way Public Schools

By For the Mirror • September 7, 2017 3:18 pm
Work to refine grading, reporting system remains a focus for Federal Way Public Schools

Federal Way Public Schools is committed to ensuring our standards-based grading and reporting system provides accurate and meaningful information to our scholars and families based on students demonstrating understanding or mastery of the knowledge and skills they are expected to learn as they progress through their education.

Standards-based education is a research-based teaching, assessment and reporting model that measures student performance based on consistent criteria. It provides an objective and equitable way to evaluate students based on what they have learned while providing the appropriate level of challenge and rigor.

During the 2016–17 school year, the FWPS Teaching for Learning Department convened a committee of over 55 staff, scholars and families representing all grade levels to review the SBGRS.

During the 2016–17 school year, the committee created three different resources including:

• A common purpose statement to articulate the vision of the SBGRS.

• Principles of grading that articulate the five best practices of the SBGRS.

• Handbooks for staff, scholars and families to provide an overview of the SBGRS.

For the 2017–18 school year, the SBGRS committee will complete the following tasks:

• Refine the SBGRS handbooks with input from stakeholders.

• Lead a panel discussion with college admissions personnel regarding transcripts and how they align with acceptance into colleges and universities.

• Make recommendations to address necessary changes to the FWPS gradebook and revise the FWPS report cards.

• Identify field test school sites and gather feedback on recommended changes to the SBGRS.

• Develop professional learning for teachers and principals at the field-test school sites.

FWPS will provide consistent communication to all stakeholders throughout the 2017-18 school year regarding the advancement of the SBGRS committee work, such as updated report cards, college-ready transcripts and any gradebook recommendations.

Opportunities for feedback will be shared on the FWPS website, www.fwps.org.

Federal Way Public Schools is committed to providing a coordinated and aligned SBGR system to ensure grades are accurate and meaningful for all FWPS scholars.

James Crawford is Federal Way Public Schools chief academic officer.