Standards-Based Learning at Middle Schools

Summary This brief explores how district administrators implement standards-based learning and grading at the middle school level. The report also highlights how profiled school districts evaluate the success of standards-based learning, assess students under a standards-based learning framework, and use electronic grading software at middle schools. Key observations from our research 1. Administrators at profiled districts communicate the value of standards-based learning to school leaders, teachers, and other stakeholders before implementation to ensure they transition to standards-based learning successfully. 2. Profiled districts conduct pilots of standards-based learning and offer opportunities for teacher and parent feedback to identify problems with the standards-based learning program before school-wide implementation. 3. Profiled districts use professional development meetings and professional learning community meetings to establish equivalent grading practices across classrooms and departments. 4. Profiled districts predominantly use summative assessments to evaluate student learning. 5. Contacts at all profiled districts report logistical difficulties configuring grading software to accommodate standards-based grading. Download the Report