Competency-Based Grading in High Schools

This research brief analyzes strategies used by five public school districts to implement competency-based grading in high schools. First the brief explores the implementation processes at each district. Then, the report profiles teacher training programs on competency-based grading and communication strategies employed to inform parents, teachers, and students about the shift to competency-based grading.

Key observations from our research

1. Pilot competency-based grading in select high school courses before conducting school-wide implementation to collect feedback and improve the grading system.
2. Contacts at all profiled districts identify their online grading system as an ongoing challenge during implementation.
3. Administrators at multiple profiled districts identify teacher-to-teacher discussion as the most effective form of professional learning on competency-based grading.
4. To secure parent buy-in for competency-based grading, communicate information about the grading system at multiple times and through both in-person and written channels.

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