Q1. **What is Standards-Based Grading?** A1. Standards-Based Grading means that grades are connected to descriptive standards. The success criteria used to determine what “meeting a standard” means is defined in advance, often in a rubric, and teachers evaluate learning progress and academic achievement in relation to the success criteria.
Q2. **Why is JWP Elementary changing to this new grading system?** A2. JWP Elementary is changing to a standards-based grading system in an effort to achieve our goal of creating a guaranteed and viable curriculum while fulfilling our promise to create a supportive environment where unique learning experiences empower ALL learners for their chosen life adventure. Within a standards-based grading system learners have a clearer understanding of what they know and what they can do, while working with their teachers to continuously grow in their knowledge and skills.
Q3. **What do the scores on the report card mean?** A3. JWP rubrics use four levels of measurement: Beginning, Approaching, Meeting, and Exceeding. These levels are also numerical from 1-4. The goal is to facilitate learning for students to achieve a Meeting (3) or higher on every standard.

Q4. Will behavior and effort be recorded on the report card? A4. Yes. In a standards-based grading system, behavior and effort are reported separately from the academic skills. These are referred to as Learning Habits and use a scale of Regularly, Sometimes, and Not Yet.

Q5. How do I get more information? A5. For more information connect with your child's teacher, Jeff Adams, Elementary Principal (jadams@isd2835.org) or Claudia Roesler, Director of Teaching & Learning (croesler@isd2835.org).