Board hears plan for consistent grading, comprehensive assessments and Synergy rollout

Dr. Kathy Woods and district staff presented Everett Public Schools' initiative to establish consistent assessment and grading practices and to implement the Synergy student information system at the March 13, 2025, special meeting of the Everett Public Schools Board of Directors.

Woods told the board the work is intended to align assessment, grading and instructional practice: “Assessment is big. Grading is small,” she said, explaining the district’s view that assessments supply multiple data points while grades communicate progress toward course standards. The initiative links the district’s instructional vision, a revised Danielson Framework for teacher practice, MTSS, and the Synergy gradebook and assessment modules.

Presenters described a comprehensive assessment system that expands the district’s previous formative/interim/summative model to include universal screening, diagnostics, formative checks, progress monitoring, benchmarks and summative assessments. Examples discussed in the presentation included I-Ready diagnostics (administered three times a year), end-of-unit assessments and benchmark checks; presenters said those tools can be used in different ways depending on local needs.

Woods said the district is developing a gradebook and report-card structure inside Synergy for elementary and secondary schools and expects the initiative to be operational by the end of the 2025–26 school year. The presentation described milestones already completed: research and best practice review, development of purpose/belief statements, stakeholder engagement and professional learning; work this year includes building the comprehensive assessment system and the Synergy gradebook configuration.

Board members raised questions about how grades will reflect diverse demonstrations of learning and how families will see information. During Q&A, Woods said grading should report progress toward course standards and that multiple modes of demonstrating mastery (projects, presentations, classroom work) should be used alongside traditional tests. On family access, Woods said parents will use ParentVUE (Parent View) to see grades and that the district will engage families—especially during the secondary gradebook rollout—to help design clear communication.

Board members described trade-offs around homework and test weighting. Woods acknowledged the challenge and said the district is identifying “which of those assessment types should factor in the student grade” and is developing recommended practices and practices to avoid. Woods said the district will convene a secondary committee of educators to inform Synergy configuration and will consult neighboring districts, design Synergy analytics to match district needs, and continue professional learning.

No formal board votes were taken on grading or the Synergy implementation during the meeting.