Standards-Based Instruction: 2018-2019

Summary

Kelly Jansen, Director of Teaching and Learning Services for South Washington County Schools, introduces the district’s move toward standards-based instruction (SBI) and reporting. She explains that this system focuses on clear learning expectations from state standards, grading students on a scale from 1 to 4, reflecting their progress from needing significant support to mastery. Progress reports will cover various subjects, including PE, art, and core academics. Parents will see these reports during conferences and at year-end. The goal is to foster personalized learning, open communication, and a growth mindset in student education.

Takeaways

• 🎓 Standards-based instruction clarifies expectations for students based on state standards.
• 📝 Teachers use a 1 to 4 grading scale, with 1 indicating the need for more support and 4 indicating mastery.
• 📊 A score of 1 shows that a student is just beginning to learn the standard and needs significant support.
• 📈 As students progress, they need less help from teachers, eventually reaching mastery (score of 3 or 4).
• 💡 This system promotes a growth mindset, emphasizing student improvement over time rather than average scores.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Parents are encouraged to engage in conversations about their child's progress with teachers and school staff.
• 🎨 Progress reports include assessments in areas like PE, art, music, and core subjects like English, math, science, and social studies.
• ⏳ More specific 'I Can' statements will be added gradually to subject areas as the system evolves.
• 📅 Progress reports will be shared during fall and winter conferences, with the final report mailed at the end of the year.
• ❓ Parents are encouraged to reach out to teachers, principals, or district staff with any questions about standards-based reporting.

Q & A

What is the main goal of standards-based instruction (SBI)?

The main goal of standards-based instruction is to clarify what students are expected to know and be able to do, based on the standards set by the state. It ensures that students meet specific learning goals.

How does standards-based grading differ from traditional grading?

Standards-based grading uses a scale of 1 to 3 or 4, rather than giving an average score. It focuses on a student's progress in learning a standard, rather than an overall grade based on an average of scores.

What does a grade of 1 represent in standards-based grading?

A grade of 1 indicates that the student is just beginning to learn the standard and may need a lot of support, reteaching, or guidance.

How does a student progress from a grade of 1 to higher levels in standards-based instruction?

As the student learns and requires less help from the teacher, they progress from needing lots of support (grade 1) to needing only occasional prompts (grade 2) and eventually reaching mastery (grade 3).

What are some subjects that will be included in the standards-based progress report?

Subjects like PE, art, music, band, orchestra, English Language Arts (reading and writing), science, social studies, and math will be included. However, the specifics in some subjects like science and social studies will be added over time.

When will parents receive the progress reports?

Parents will first see the progress report during fall conferences, then again during winter conferences. A final report will be mailed home at the end of the school year.

What is the purpose of the progress report for parents and teachers?

The progress report provides a clear understanding of what a student can or cannot do, fostering communication between teachers, parents, and students about the child’s progress.

What should parents do if they have questions about standards-based reporting?

Parents are encouraged to reach out to their child's teacher for clarification. Principals and the district office are also available to support and guide parents through any questions.

What is meant by the 'I can' statements in the progress reports?

'I can' statements are generic descriptions of what students should be able to do in various subjects. These will become more specific over time as the standards-based instruction system is implemented fully across all subjects.

How does standards-based instruction support a growth mindset?

Standards-based instruction emphasizes growth by showing where a student is starting and highlighting that they have room to improve, rather than simply giving an average score. It focuses on a student's learning journey.

Outlines

00:00

🎓 Introduction to Standards-Based Instruction

Kelly Jansen introduces herself as the Director of Teaching and Learning Services for South Washington County Schools. She expresses excitement about the district’s journey into standards-based instruction (SBI) and standards-based reporting (SBR). This system sets clear expectations for what students need to know and be able to do, based on state standards.

📊 Grading Scale in Standards-Based Reporting

In this section, Jansen explains how the grading system under standards-based reporting differs from traditional systems. Students are assessed on a scale of one to four, and parents may also see 'NG' (Not Graded) or blanks if material hasn't been covered yet. A score of one indicates a student is just beginning to learn the standard and needs significant support, with scores progressing as they gain mastery.

🧠 Growth Mindset and Student Progress

Jansen emphasizes the focus on student growth within the standards-based reporting system. A score of one indicates a need for support and reteaching, but students progress as they require less help over time. This approach encourages a growth mindset, shifting away from traditional average scores to a more individualized understanding of each student's learning journey.

🏫 Personalized Learning and Communication

The new system promotes personalized learning by encouraging open communication between teachers, students, and families. Teachers and families can have meaningful conversations about a child's progress, and it allows for a personalized approach to understanding where each student is in their learning path.

📝 Content in Progress Reports

Progress reports will include subjects like PE, art, music, and media, as well as statements for English Language Arts (ELA), math, science, and social studies. However, detailed 'I can' statements will gradually be added over time in some subjects as the system is still new for teachers as well.

📅 Schedule for Progress Reports

Parents will first see the full progress report during fall conferences, with printed copies given by teachers. The reports will also be available during winter conferences and mailed home at the end of the school year. This schedule ensures that families receive regular updates on their child's progress throughout the year.

🤝 Support for Parents and Families

Jansen reassures parents that the district is ready to support them as they adjust to standards-based reporting. She encourages families to reach out to teachers, principals, and district office staff if they have any questions about the new system. The district aims to help parents navigate the transition smoothly.

Keywords

💡Standards-Based Instruction (SBI)

Standards-Based Instruction refers to an educational approach where teaching is aligned with specific learning standards set by the state. These standards outline what students are expected to know and be able to do at each grade level. In the video, Kelly Jansen explains that SBI helps clarify expectations for students' learning outcomes, ensuring that they are progressing according to set guidelines.

💡Standards-Based Reporting (SBR)

Standards-Based Reporting is a grading system that assesses students based on their mastery of specific standards rather than on an overall average. This system uses a scale (such as 1-4) to represent students' understanding and progress. Jansen emphasizes how this approach provides clearer insight into what a student can or cannot do, offering parents a more detailed view of their child’s academic development.

💡Growth Mindset

A growth mindset is the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort, learning, and perseverance. In the context of the video, Jansen highlights how Standards-Based Instruction promotes a growth mindset by focusing on individual student progress rather than static scores, encouraging continuous learning and improvement.

💡Mastery

Mastery refers to the level at which a student has fully understood and can independently perform a task or apply a concept. In Standards-Based Reporting, a score of 3 represents mastery. Jansen explains that students move from needing support (a score of 1) to independence (a score of 3), marking their progression toward mastering the standards.

💡Progress Report

A progress report is a document that communicates a student’s performance and development in various subjects. In the video, Jansen explains that parents will receive these reports at different intervals (fall and winter conferences, and by mail at the end of the year), providing a clear snapshot of where their child stands in terms of meeting the educational standards.

💡1-3/4 Grading Scale

The 1-3 or 1-4 grading scale is a method used in Standards-Based Reporting to assess student performance. A score of 1 indicates that a student is just beginning to learn a standard and requires significant support, while a 3 (or 4 in some cases) represents mastery. Jansen uses the example of students learning multiplication facts, where they gradually improve from needing help (1) to mastering the skill (3).

💡I Can Statements

I Can Statements are simplified descriptions of learning objectives, written from the student’s perspective, outlining what they should be able to do after instruction. Jansen notes that these statements appear in the progress reports, especially in subjects like reading, writing, and math, and that they will gradually be added to other subjects such as science and social studies.

💡Personalization

Personalization in education refers to tailoring instruction and assessments to meet individual students’ needs. Jansen discusses how Standards-Based Reporting allows for personalized conversations between teachers, students, and parents about each child’s unique progress, rather than focusing on a one-size-fits-all approach to grading and assessment.

💡State Standards

State standards are educational benchmarks set by government agencies to outline the knowledge and skills students should achieve at each grade level. Jansen refers to these standards as the foundation for Standards-Based Instruction, ensuring that all students meet consistent learning goals across subjects, as mandated by the state.

💡Conferences

Conferences refer to meetings between parents and teachers to discuss a student’s progress. In the video, Jansen mentions that the first opportunity parents have to see the full progress report is during fall conferences, followed by winter conferences, emphasizing the importance of ongoing communication between families and teachers in the standards-based system.

Highlights

Kelly Jansen introduces herself as the Director of Teaching and Learning Services for South Washington County Schools.

The focus is on standards-based instruction (SPI), which clarifies what students should know and be able to do based on state standards.

Standards-based instruction shifts grading to a scale of 1 to 3 or 4, with NG (not graded yet) and blanks for unfinished material.

A '1' on the scale means a student is just beginning to learn the standard and needs substantial support.

A '2' indicates that the student needs less guidance, with the teacher only providing occasional prompts.

A '3' signifies mastery of the standard, with the student being able to perform tasks independently.

This grading model promotes a growth mindset, focusing on a student's progression rather than averaging scores.

SPI fosters a personalized learning approach, encouraging discussions between teachers, students, and families.

Progress reports include areas like PE, art, music, and band or orchestra, alongside academic subjects like English, math, science, and social studies.

Generic 'I can' statements are used in certain subjects while teachers gradually add more detailed statements over the years.

Parents first see full progress reports during fall conferences, where they are printed and discussed with teachers.

The next chance to see progress reports is during winter conferences, with final reports mailed home at the end of the year.

The new system aims to provide clear communication of what students can and cannot do, improving transparency for families.

Parents are encouraged to reach out to teachers or principals with any questions regarding the standards-based reporting process.

The district office is also available to support parents through the transition to standards-based instruction and reporting.

Transcripts

[Music]

hello I'm Kelly Jansen and I'm honored

to serve as the director of teaching and

learning services for South Washington

County Schools I'm excited to be part of

our journey in standards-based

instruction and standards-based

reporting standards based instruction or

SPI as you may have heard it called sets

out to clarify expectations of what we

want students to know and be able to do

comes directly from the standards that

the state sets out for us to make sure

that our students are learning in our

schools when teachers use a

standards-based progress report they

grade on a different scale they're going

to grade on a scale of one to three or

four parents might also see an NG which

stands for not graded yet or they might

see blanks if the material hasn't been

covered in class yet so a lot of parents

might ask what does a1 represent on

their assessments or on the report card

a 1 is just kind of the beginning of a

standard like a child is just learning

that standard and they might need a lot

of support and guidance they might need

reteaching which is going to be very

typical for the beginning of the year I

think about my math students coming in

and understanding their multiplication

facts and the majority of my children

might know their very basic facts but

they don't know all of them and they're

not able to recite them quickly so then

as throughout the year as they learn

different strategies they need less and

less help from me the teacher I'm doing

less reteaching I might only need to

prompt them once in a while and that's

gonna then move them along that scale of

a1 being that they need lots of help and

a2 is they just need a little bit of

support and guidance and a3 is finally

that mastery and I think this is

shifting us away from just giving an

average score to being much more open to

that growth mindset of this is where

your child is starting but they still

have a long way to go

it really does together provide a

framework for teachers for students for

families to have conversations about how

their individual child is doing in

school and it really takes really takes

on personalization which is a goal of

South Washington County school

of having those conversations about how

your child is doing in school so what's

on the progress report that's always

kind of the big question so you're gonna

see things on there like PE art music if

a student is in band or Orchestra media

specialists but you're also gonna see

full account statements in the area of

English language arts so reading and

writing but you'll see some generic ican

statements and other subjects like

science and social studies and math and

the reason behind that is because this

is new for our teachers as well and so

we're gonna slowly add I can't

statements over the years to get more

specific and other subject areas so when

will parents see these progress reports

the first time you're gonna get a chance

to see the full progress report is

during fall conferences they'll be

printed and given from the teacher to

the parents during conferences the

second time you'll see them are winter

conferences and then we'll print them

and mail them home at the end of the

year in the end we believe that this is

going to make a great difference for our

students and for our families because

you're gonna clearly know what a student

can or cannot do it's just a new way of

communicating progress so as your child

goes through this process of

standards-based reporting and

standards-based instruction you're bound

to have questions and we encourage you

to reach out to your child's teacher our

principals are also very involved so

please make sure if you're if you're

still having those questions to reach

out and certainly we're we're there for

support at the district office as well

and we are happy to to guide you through

those questions as you as you wonder

what this transition and standards-based

reporting means

[Music]

[Music]