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District moves toward standards-based grading; homework shifted to lower weight in gradebook
Summary
Curriculum Director Hope McBrain presented new grading guidelines emphasizing grades tied to curriculum knowledge—tests, labs, projects and presentations—with homework entered into the gradebook less frequently and phased implementation this year ahead of full adoption next year.
Hillsboro CUSD 3's Curriculum Director Hope McBrain presented proposed changes to student grading practices at the Sept. 17 board meeting, saying the district intends to place greater weight on assessments tied directly to curriculum mastery.
"Many grades being entered into the gradebook are not tied to the instruction students are receiving," McBrain said, recommending that grades be based on knowledge of the curriculum, not behavior or binder checks. She outlined that the majority of grades should come from in-class assignments, labs, projects and presentations; homework will still be assigned but "will just be entered into the gradebook less and less." The guidelines will be introduced gradually this year with a plan for full implementation next year.
The minutes record this as a presentation and first discussion; the board did not vote on the guidelines at the meeting. The minutes do not list a timeline of classroom-level training, teacher evaluation changes, or specific grade-weighting percentages.
