Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Proficiency Based Grading topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
District reviews proficiency-based grading, schedules expert visit
Summary
District leaders and school principals presented an overview of proficiency-based grading, told the board it allows multiple attempts and separates behavior from academic ratings, and said expert Tom Schimmer will speak to ISD 748 educators in February.
Sartell-St. Stephen Public Schools district leaders and building principals presented the board with an overview of proficiency-based grading and reporting at the Nov. 7 work session.
Superintendent Michael Rivard outlined the framework's history and said staff have been studying the model. Megan Rogholt, director of learning and teaching, and building principals described key benefits: "A benefit of proficiency-based grading is acknowledging different learning styles and timelines and allowing students multiple attempts to prove their progress, while providing more in-depth feedback than one overall letter grade," the presentation team said. Staff added that elementary report cards already reflect a more proficiency-based reporting style that separates behavior and grading, and that many educators attended a recent conference to deepen their understanding.
Board members raised questions about how proficiency would appear on transcripts, what evidence exists showing the model's benefits for students, and how the district should communicate changes to families. The presenters said those questions will be compiled and submitted to Tom Schimmer, an outside expert who is scheduled to speak to ISD 748 educators in February, and staff will return with recommendations and sample communications before any policy change is adopted.
