A Focus on Learning, Not Grading

Proficiency Scales: A tool used by teachers and students to determine the student’s current level of progress toward achievement when learning the expectations of a learning standard.

Proficiency scales describe the performance expected from the student on a specific learning standard. The scales specify the knowledge, skills, and processes that are the focus of learning and pinpoint proficiency. Teachers can guide students to proficiency and beyond.

Tracking learning goals with proficiency scales:
While grades have often been the measure of student success, proficiency scales are designed for measuring student learning. Proficiency scales allow teachers and students to track learning goals more precisely. This helps build higher student success and consistency in the grading system.

3
The score of 3 means the student has MET the standard.

2
The score of 2 means the student has gained an understanding of the vocabulary and SIMPLER PROCESSES of the standard. Students are able to do the prerequisite necessary for the standard (3.0), but are not yet able to do what the standard requires.

1
The score of 1 means the student can achieve partial success with the vocabulary and simpler processes of the standard WITH HELP.

How do proficiency scales help students, teachers and parents?

Proficiency scales increase clarity and align students, teachers, and parents with a way to talk about a student’s progress toward achievement on the expectations of the grade-level standard.

Proficiency scales increase the likelihood our students show their grade-level learning (3.0) that prepares them for college and careers.

Proficiency scales provide clarity and transparency about what students need to learn and practice. Proficiency scales give the teacher information about how to adjust instruction for each student.

Proficiency scales engage our students.

Proficiency scales provide our students with multiple entry points on the standard’s proficiency scale.

• Students can begin where they are and then work toward grade-level expectations.

• Proficiency scales communicate clearly to students that the work they do in class helps them move toward a clear target.

• Proficiency scales focus student learning on the target and help the student and teacher use that learning target to set goals.

Example: YOUR GOAL: TO RIDE A BIKE BY YOURSELF

3 – Achieving the Standard
Riding a bike by yourself

2 – Beginning with the Standard
Riding a bike with training wheels

1 – Beginning with the Standard
Riding a bike, but with learning wheels