Curriculum
The best source for what is happening in each class is the class syllabus or teachers' web pages. Many teachers use Minneapolis Public School’s Focused Instruction at http://tl.mpls.k12.mn.us/tools as a guideline for their curriculum.Standards-Based Grading
The purpose of Standards-Based Grading (SBG) is to align grading with the mastery of state content standards as measured by consistent student achievement data and common criteria for grading. The primary goal of SBG is to better communicate what each student knows and is able to do, as well as to inform teachers, students, and families what may be next steps for areas for growth. Grades come from data regarding student achievement on learning targets. There are usually 5-10 Learning Targets for every quarter that make up the grade. Learning Targets are written statements that refer to the state standards for each content area. In standards-based grading, each student should strive to get a 3 or 4 on each assignment/Learning Target to show that they have met the expectations of that class. If this has not happened, we encourage students to come in for help/practice skills/investigate more about the concept to be able to redo that specific target. This most often happens during lunch. However, as long as the student has arranged transportation and a time and place with the teacher, before and after school are also great times.
| 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Exemplary | Proficient | Partially Proficient | Not Proficient |
| Exceeds Criteria | Meets Criteria | Meets Some Criteria | Does Not Meet Criteria |
| Fully Developed | Adequately Developed | Partially Developed | Minimally Developed |
| Wow! | On-Target | Almost There | Keep Trying! |
Though individual assignments are graded on a 1-4 scale, students' overall grades are translated into a letter grade format. This is designed to help students prepare for letter grades in high school. We do not use a traditional scale system that parents may be used to, so it is important to look at the grades rather than percentages. Grades can be interpreted as:
- A range: exceeds standards
- B range: meets standards
- C range: partially meets standards
- D: partially meets standards
- F: does not meet standards
See the video at the bottom of the page for more information on standards-based grading.
