SBG Update for SMS Parents

Solon Middle School

Standards Based Grading Update

The topic of Standards Based Grading is a huge one.  It is much larger than we can tackle in a single newsletter, document or parent meeting.  My intention is to provide you with brief updates throughout the year to help you better understand SBG, our professional development activities, and our progress towards full implementation. 

To begin with, let’s take a step backwards and look at the traditional grading system to see how it compares with Standards Based Grading in philosophy:

Traditional Grading System

Standards-Based Grading System

1.     Based on assessment methods (quizzes, tests, homework, projects, etc.).  One grade/entry is given per assessment. 2.     Assessments are based on a percentage system.  Criteria for success may be unclear. 3.     Use an uncertain mix of assessment, achievement, effort and behavior to determine the final grade.  May use late penalties and extra credit. 4.     Everything goes in the grade book - regardless of purpose. 5.     Include every score, regardless of when it was collected.  Assessments record the average - not the best - work.

1.Based on learning goals and performance standards.  One grade/entry is given per learning goal. 2.Standards are criterion or proficiency-based.  Criteria and targets are made available to students ahead of time. 3.Measures achievement only OR separates achievement from effort/behavior.  No penalties or extra credit given. 4.Selected assessments (tests, quizzes, projects, etc.) are used for grading purposes. 5.Emphasize the most recent evidence of learning when grading.

Adapted from O’Connor K (2002).  How to Grade for Learning: Linking grades to standards (2nd ed.).  Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

As we began our studies, we found that the philosophy of SBG matched nicely with our belief in a system that focused on student learning and appropriately reporting that learning. 

Earlier in the year I shared the five grading guidelines, which teachers would begin implementing this fall. 

1. Entries in the grade book that count towards the final grade will be limited to course or grade level standards.
2. Extra credit will not be given at any time.
3. Students will be allowed multiple opportunities to demonstrate their understanding of classroom standards in various ways.  Retakes and revisions will be allowed.  
4. Teachers will determine grade book entries by considering multiple points of data emphasizing the most recent data and provide evidence to support their determination.
5. Students will be provided multiple opportunities to practice standards independently through homework or other class work.  Practice assignments and activities will be consistent with classroom standards for the purpose of providing feedback.  Practice assignments, including homework, will not be included as part of the final grade.

Throughout this school year, professional development will be provided for staff to insure that these guidelines are understood and implemented.  By the 4^th quarter, teachers will have fully implemented SBG, according to the five guidelines, in at least one of their classes.  While full implementation of Standards Based Grading is not expected until the 2013-14 school year, many of our teachers began using SBG in all of their classes from the start of the school year.

An important step in our transition is to have the majority of staff fully implementing the SBG guidelines.  While I’ve been impressed with the number of staff that jumped in with both feet, there is still much learning ahead for all of us.  We are still working on more clearly defining the guidelines - to determine what fits and what does not .  We are still working on developing consistent classroom practices, not only across the building or grade level, but also within an individual classroom. 

Of the many challenges we face with our transition, perhaps the greatest is how to best report student learning to you, the parents, as well as the students themselves.  You’ll notice most teachers using a 4 point scale in a rubric format.  This works well for a students’ understanding of his or her progress on a given learning target, or standard.  This is an adjustment for parents, however, who are more familiar with traditional grading and homework/classwork grading.

We certainly welcome any questions you may have regarding Standards Based Grading.  In addition to your child’s classroom teacher, please feel free to contact Matt Townsley, Director of Instruction, or myself, with any questions you may have.  Again, we are committed to providing you timely updates throughout the year as we continue on our journey. 

Please look for additional information coming soon, including an invitation to join Nathan Wear, High School Principal, and high school staff for parent information meetings regarding Standards Based Grading.   There will also soon be a link available on the district website that provides information and resources on SBG.

Thank you.  I look forward to learning and growing with you.

Mike

Day 1

Day #1 is in the books.  Despite some last minute panic and anxiety (on my part) things went off without a hitch thanks to our tremendous staff, excited students and supportive parents.  My son (pictured), who left Step-Up-Day last spring stating, "I just want to skip summer and go right to 5th grade," surprised me again by saying the first day was great, but he couldn't wait for the second day because "now we'll get to do some things." 

Yes, the first day is always filled with more listening and less doing than we'd like.  Unfortunately, in most cases, it's less about building relationships and more about expectations.  It is however, a critical step in allowing students to feel comfortable in their new surroundings, getting them to feel confident in moving about the building - in general insuring those 'safety needs' which come before relationships and learning. 

Thank you staff, parents and students for a great first day.  The first step in a great year.

Newsletter to Parents -

August 20, 2012

Well, tomorrow is THE day.   Summer has come to an end.  Before we get too far into the swing of things, I wanted to give you an update on a few things.

Welcome Back Night – Thank you to those who attended our Welcome Back Night last Thursday.  We had a great showing and it was nice to see so many smiling faces ready for the new school year.  

Standards Based Grading – As you may or may not know, the district adopted the following guidelines regarding our grading philosophies:

1. Entries in the grade book that count towards the final grade will be limited to course or grade level standards. 
2. Extra credit will not be given at any time.
3. Students will be allowed multiple opportunities to demonstrate their understanding of classroom standards in various ways.  Retakes and revisions will be allowed.  
4. Teachers will determine grade book entries by considering multiple points of data emphasizing the most recent data and provide evidence to support their determination.
5. Students will be provided multiple opportunities to practice standards independently through homework and other class work.  Practice assignments and activities will be consistent with classroom standards for the purpose  of providing feedback.  Practice assignments, including homework, will not be included as part of the final grade.    

The guidelines will be incorporated into all classrooms over the course of the year.  Some teachers have already been using a Standards Based Grading approach, and many more will be fully implementing the guidelines from day 1 this year.  In any case, you should see a shift across the district to “grading what matters.”  You can count on individual teachers communicating their grading procedures, as they have in the past.

Attendance Procedures – Attached to this e-mail, you should find the policy approved by the district.  In essence, it means that any student absence is considered an “unexcused” absence until you provide documentation that proves otherwise.  After a number of unexcused absences, interventions are planned.  The new procedures required a shift in thinking on my part.  I’ve always viewed “excused” as “OK” and “unexcused” as “truant.”  By being marked as “unexcused” we are not saying that the reason is not legitimate.  It just doesn’t fit the criteria.  As a parent, I realize that my children will have a number of “unexcused” absences in the coming year.  It doesn’t mean he/she is skipping school, or truant. 

Please remember to report any student attendance issues to the office.  If your child is leaving early for an appointment, we’ll see that he/she is up there and waiting for you when you arrive.

Spartan Stadium – I’m sure most of you have driven by the ‘new’ Spartan Stadium.  Hopefully many of you are planning on attending Friday night’s opening game against Mount Vernon.  There are a few new expectations that you need to be aware of:

1.     Family Passes – only admitted on the home (South) gate.

2.     Elementary age students must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

3.     Middle school age students must sit with parents or in the ‘middle school section.’

4.     Spectators are expected to be in the stands – no loitering, running around, or leaning on the fence.

Gym Floor – We are nearing completion of a long overdue renovation of the SMS gym.  Last spring new lights were donated and installed.  This summer we painted and put in a new floor.  It looks like an entirely different (new) facility. 

Air Conditioning – With the exception of the gym and hallways, SMS is now entirely air conditioned.  This is a huge step in not only providing students with a more comfortable environment during the school year, but also opens up possibilities for use of the facility during the summer months in future years.

Handbooks – Student handbooks can be found on our middle school webpage under “information.”

Communication – Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter (@MikeHerdliska) and my blog at http://mikeherdliska.blogspot.com/ for random updates on my thoughts and experiences at Solon Middle School.  Please feel free to contact me at miherdliska@solon.k12.ia.us or phone 624-3401 ext. 1303 if you ever have any questions. 

Upcoming Events –

August 24 – Pep Rally @ Spartan Stadium – 2:40PM

August 30 – Magazine Sales Kick-Off

September 3 – Labor Day – No School

September 6 – 1PM Early Dismissal

September 6 – Fall Activity Pictures

Thank you – let’s make this a GREAT year at SMS,

Mike

Looking at Our School Climate

I'm compiling our annual School Climate Survey completed by staff, students and parents.  This survey provides us with valuable data that we use to identify trends, establish focus, and set goals for the remainder of the school year while we look ahead to 2012-13.  We've been completing this survey for ten years at Solon Middle School and have made a variety of changes to our building structure as a result of what we've learned.

So what have I learned over that ten year period?  Let me start with the changes to the survey itself....  What was once a paper and pencil survey - is now completely on-line.  What was once a week's worth of tallying and calculating - is now automatically calculated and graphed with live data.  What once used a sample of our students and a handful of parent responses - now reaches out to 100% of all stakeholders.  Technology has changed nearly every aspect of education over the last ten years, including the way we seek input.  Twenty-four hours after sending a mass e-mail to parents, providing them with the link and a brief explanation of the survey, I'd already captured over 75 parent responses from a building of just over 400 students. 

It is evident that not only is it essential for school leaders to stay abreast of advancements in technology, and attempt to keep up with the digital natives roaming the hallways, but also to accommodate the learning styles and communication preferences of parents and community members.  The immediate survey feedback I received was proof to me that a good number of our parents rely on technology (and not simply limited to e-mail) as a part of their daily lives.  They are savvy, educated adults who function best, and most comfortably, in a real-time world.  They don't want to wait to see what Johnny brings home in his bag - they want to see his bag now.  Communication, however, is a topic of its own for another day.  

After years of looking at our climate survey data, it reinforces in me that we all see things a little differently based on our unique perspective.  We give exactly the same survey to staff, students and parents, so obviously there are parts of the survey that any individual or group would not have the background to answer accurately, but in the interest of consistency, we ask anyway.  As a general rule the trend data has shown very little change within each group - regardless of the area addressed.   

However, equally consistent is the discrepancy when comparing responses from each of the groups on virtually any given topic.  While different perspectives are a benefit, how can we effectively work together to solve a problem if we don't agree on the magnitude - or don't even see that there is a problem at all?  Data helps, but it's still not the sole answer.  For most of us, if I'm in the minority, the numbers don't help me - I need to SEE the problem.

Lastly, what I've learned as a result of our climate surveys is, "don't ask if you don't want to know."  For starters, we've trimmed down the number of items over the years.  If it isn't data we want to know, or need to know - don't waste people's time.  If it isn't something that leads to change - or at least meaningful discussion - don't ask. 

However, at least from a leadership perspective, the bigger issue is simple - "if you can't handle the truth - don't ask."  I want to know the truth - even if it stings.  As a school leader, it is too easy to chalk up a random complaint as "just a disgruntled parent/teacher/student."  However, if the data tells me something - then I'd better listen.  I owe it to the organization, our staff, our parents, and most importantly - our kids - to listen. 

I haven't shied away from any negative responses in our survey, in fact, I thrive on the "comment box."  I've found that sometimes words speak louder than numbers - after all, even the loud minority (no matter how small) is a part of our learning community.  Their voice does matter, and if I can make an adjustment in what I do, or put something in the back of my mind in how I deal with all stakeholders - I will. 

I believe so strongly in the quality of information we receive from our climate survey that we made a couple of other changes this year.  We added a scaled down version as a fall survey - partially knowing that spring time might not be the best time to capture people's attitudes, partially to get a mid-year assessment on our building focus, but also so that we could add a classroom component.  So last fall - all students essentially 'graded' their teachers based on our district priorities.  I'm happy to report that the majority of our staff savored the opportunity to examine their practice, and most importantly - adjust to meet the needs of their learners.  

I'll be back with more on this topic once I've had some time to chew on the data a little. 





 

Back on My Feet

I had been considering redesigning my webpage - mainly because of my increasing interest in my blog.  I'm not sure how many followed me, but I enjoyed the self-reflections and sharing my thoughts with others.  My intention was to spend a little time planning this spring and make a change over the summer months.  As luck would have it (and not the good kind of luck), my computer crashed over spring break, and I lost access to by webpage (and blog).  "No big deal.  I'll wait until summer and get another one going."  Or so I thought.  Even with all that is going on in the spring time, I guess I've learned that social media IS, after all, a priority.  Not THE priority, but evidently a bigger one than I realized.

So - welcome to my new and improved blog.....  I can't spend much time on it right now - but just to get things started, I'll share what is behind my title, "Books, Balls and Blogs."

Books - symbolizing education, which will drive most of what I share here.
Balls - symbolizing my three kids, whom will surely give me a variety things to write about.
Blogs -symbolizing my professional networks, my PLCs, where I do much of my learning. 

Thank you for joining me here - I look forward to sharing my thoughts and experiences with you.  And as always, thanks to Kathy Kaldenberg for her advice and guidance.