Frequently Asked Questions

Why make this change? Since 2016 North Gwinnett HS has been working to reform grading to better report student progress toward content knowledge. By removing all grades that do not align to the standards being evaluated and removing items such as completion grades, zeros, and penalties that do not reflect the evaluation of student learning, all stakeholders are better able to evaluate and respond to student learning. Reporting by Big Ideas (standards-based grading, SBG) is the next step in improving our grading and reporting process. SBG considers the specific skills and knowledge a student has mastered, rather than just averaging their scores on tests and assignments at specific moments in time. Rather, evaluating mastery over time allows for a more accurate assessment of a student's progress and achievement.

What about Class Rank, GPA, and Honor Graduate designations? All students will continue to receive a final grade on a 100-point scale. Gwinnett County Schools grade calculations will apply for GPA, class rank, and Honor Graduate designations. Report cards and transcripts are unchanged.

Do AP classes get the additional 10 points? Yes, 10 points will be added to the final 100 point grade posted.

What has changed? Teachers will no longer enter individual items like tests, quizzes, labs, papers, etc. Instead, grades will be reported by standards or grouped standards called Big Ideas. Teachers will have the option of using rubric grading to evaluate student progress toward mastery of each Big Idea.

 

Why use a rubric? Rubric grading allows teachers to clearly define expectations for different levels of mastery. Students and parents can have a clear understanding of assignments and assessments prior to completing activities and assessments. Rubrics help teachers grade more consistently and objectively. 

What is the impact of SBG grading on students?

• Students have a better understanding of their progress on specific content and can easily identify areas where improvement is needed.
• Students' learning can be valued throughout the semester and be accurately reported rather than averaged.
• Students can monitor their learning and communicate with teachers about areas of improvement rather than focus on attaining points.
• Students will need to demonstrate mastery throughout the semester, which promotes retention of knowledge.
• Students will be able to demonstrate mastery in more ways than just traditional assessments.

How are Big Idea grades determined? Teachers will collect multiple data points on student progress toward each Big Idea. The data can consist of various assignments, including classwork and traditional assessments. Teachers will evaluate what level of knowledge the student is displaying most often (mode) and consider their most recent work more heavily.

What are some of the other benefits of SBG using rubric grading?

• Higher level of consistency in scoring: SBG shows a higher level of consistency in scoring among teachers and across classrooms.
• Clear communication with students about their progress in the class.
• The focus on learning and growing in knowledge, rather than collecting points.

 

Why aren’t grades on assignments just averaged? The purpose of standards-based grading is to report what students know and can do; averaging does not accurately show where a student is in the learning process. A student who struggles in a class at the beginning of a grading period and receives poor grades, but who keeps working and by the end of the grading period can clearly demonstrate competence in the subject, should receive a grade that reflects that level of competence. The average is a fixture in most grading systems, but the average does not always represent the data accurately.

Is traditional or SBG grading more subjective?  Traditional grading is very subjective. The traditional grading scale is easy to manipulate because it is often subjective in nature. For example, one math teacher may require students to show work, while another may only require answers. 

SBG is less subjective since standards-based reporting is designed to only reflect true evidence of learning. Parents get a clear picture of what the student has or hasn’t mastered without the influence of other factors, such as effort and attitude. Consistency can be ensured with a teacher-provided rubric that establishes clear expectations and precisely explains what the student will need to master.

Parents can expect a meaningful grade, one that clearly communicates what learning has taken place. Standards-based grading supports learning by focusing on the concepts and skills that have or have not been learned rather than accumulating or losing points, so parents and students can identify specific areas for growth.

Does my student need to be perfect to get an A on the proficiency scale? No. Once a teacher has determined a student’s level of mastery on the rubric, the rubric score is converted to a 100-point score to meet GCPS expectations. If a student is evaluated as a 4 (distinguished) in a non-AP class, the grade would be calculated as 100, if the teacher is using the proficiency scale.

How are final grades calculated? Final grades would be the weighted average of all Big Idea and any other scores such as interims, performance finals, and final exams, as outlined by GCPS grading policy.

Edutopia Article on Grading

Why make this change? Since 2016 North Gwinnett HS has been working to reform grading to better report student progress toward content knowledge. By removing all grades that do not align to the standards being evaluated and removing items such as completion grades, zeros, and penalties that do not reflect the evaluation of student learning, all stakeholders are better able to evaluate and respond to student learning. Reporting by Big Ideas (standards-based grading, SBG) is the next step in improving our grading and reporting process. SBG considers the specific skills and knowledge a student has mastered, rather than just averaging their scores on tests and assignments at specific moments in time. Rather, evaluating mastery over time allows for a more accurate assessment of a student's progress and achievement.

What about Class Rank, GPA, and Honor Graduate designations? All students will continue to receive a final grade on a 100-point scale. Gwinnett County Schools grade calculations will apply for GPA, class rank, and Honor Graduate designations. Report cards and transcripts are unchanged.

Do AP classes get the additional 10 points? Yes, 10 points will be added to the final 100 point grade posted.

What has changed? Teachers will no longer enter individual items like tests, quizzes, labs, papers, etc. Instead, grades will be reported by standards or grouped standards called Big Ideas. Teachers will have the option of using rubric grading to evaluate student progress toward mastery of each Big Idea.

 

Why use a rubric? Rubric grading allows teachers to clearly define expectations for different levels of mastery. Students and parents can have a clear understanding of assignments and assessments prior to completing activities and assessments. Rubrics help teachers grade more consistently and objectively. 

What is the impact of SBG grading on students?

• Students have a better understanding of their progress on specific content and can easily identify areas where improvement is needed.
• Students' learning can be valued throughout the semester and be accurately reported rather than averaged.
• Students can monitor their learning and communicate with teachers about areas of improvement rather than focus on attaining points.
• Students will need to demonstrate mastery throughout the semester, which promotes retention of knowledge.
• Students will be able to demonstrate mastery in more ways than just traditional assessments.

How are Big Idea grades determined? Teachers will collect multiple data points on student progress toward each Big Idea. The data can consist of various assignments, including classwork and traditional assessments. Teachers will evaluate what level of knowledge the student is displaying most often (mode) and consider their most recent work more heavily.

What are some of the other benefits of SBG using rubric grading?

• Higher level of consistency in scoring: SBG shows a higher level of consistency in scoring among teachers and across classrooms.
• Clear communication with students about their progress in the class.
• The focus on learning and growing in knowledge, rather than collecting points.

 

Why aren’t grades on assignments just averaged? The purpose of standards-based grading is to report what students know and can do; averaging does not accurately show where a student is in the learning process. A student who struggles in a class at the beginning of a grading period and receives poor grades, but who keeps working and by the end of the grading period can clearly demonstrate competence in the subject, should receive a grade that reflects that level of competence. The average is a fixture in most grading systems, but the average does not always represent the data accurately.

Is traditional or SBG grading more subjective?  Traditional grading is very subjective. The traditional grading scale is easy to manipulate because it is often subjective in nature. For example, one math teacher may require students to show work, while another may only require answers. 

SBG is less subjective since standards-based reporting is designed to only reflect true evidence of learning. Parents get a clear picture of what the student has or hasn’t mastered without the influence of other factors, such as effort and attitude. Consistency can be ensured with a teacher-provided rubric that establishes clear expectations and precisely explains what the student will need to master.

Parents can expect a meaningful grade, one that clearly communicates what learning has taken place. Standards-based grading supports learning by focusing on the concepts and skills that have or have not been learned rather than accumulating or losing points, so parents and students can identify specific areas for growth.

Does my student need to be perfect to get an A on the proficiency scale? No. Once a teacher has determined a student’s level of mastery on the rubric, the rubric score is converted to a 100-point score to meet GCPS expectations. If a student is evaluated as a 4 (distinguished) in a non-AP class, the grade would be calculated as 100, if the teacher is using the proficiency scale.

How are final grades calculated? Final grades would be the weighted average of all Big Idea and any other scores such as interims, performance finals, and final exams, as outlined by GCPS grading policy.

Edutopia Article on Grading