Last year we had many teachers across the District piloting the use of proficiency scales and CBE-aligned gradebooks. This year, all of our teachers will be using Proficiency Scales to articulate learning expectations, evaluate student learning, and communicate progress and grades in Aeries. Teachers will still be using Canvas or Google Classroom to deliver instruction and provide course information. Although we will continue to use letter grades to determine final marks, how those grades are determined will change. In the traditional system, grades were based on an accumulation of points and averaging them. In CBE, amassing points is not the goal. Instead, the goal is for students to demonstrate the explicit learning goal for each topic in a course. These explicit learning goals are provided to students in what we call Proficiency Scales, which articulate the learning goals and levels of learning. Students are also expected to meet minimal requirements for each topic to earn credits for the course. There have also been changes to letter grades to better align with the CBE system. Students can receive the following: A, B, C, I, NC, or IP. The letter grades A, B, & C have not changed in any way. I (Incomplete) means that a student is very close to completing the course and will have an opportunity (4 ½ weeks) to do so in the following term. If they do not complete the course, their grade will be changed to an NC (No Credit). An “I” counts as zero points in the GPA calculation and could lead to an ineligible status for student athletes. NC (No Credit) is similar to the traditional “F” and is counted as a zero (0) when calculated into the GPA. IP (In Progress) grade marks are used at the progress reporting periods only. It means that a student is making adequate progress toward a passing grade, even though their current grade might not reflect it at that moment. An “IP” will count as two points in the GPA calculation and will not affect eligibility status. We know that change can cause confusion, anxiety, and misconceptions. One of the major concerns that has been expressed is how this will impact students' ability to go to college. The short answer is that it will have no impact on transcripts or GPA calculations. It may however, feel more rigorous as it forces students to demonstrate their knowledge of each topic in the entire course. Please visit our CBE Website for more information regarding grades, proficiency scales, and FAQs, along with articles and research regarding CBE.
RESOURCES PUHSD and school websites have a dedicated page about CBE which contain a lot of information and resources. PUHSD Webpage Please be sure to listen to all of the podcasts, but especially the episodes that contain information about CBE. There are many useful episodes on how CBE helps students be successful as the leave one class and move on to the next. “The Point” Podcast
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker