Standards Based Instruction & Learning

Avondale's Vision for Grading

The Avondale School District will implement reporting practices that clearly communicate student growth and mastery. Student learning will be supported through consistent and clear expectations. Grading will be inclusive of self-evaluation, time for reflection, academic responsibility, and opportunity to advance understanding and mastery.

The district will provide clear learning objectives based in practices, standards, knowledge, skills, and habits. These learning objectives align with not only Michigan State Academic Standards, but also Avondale's Portrait of a Graduate.

About Standards-Based Instruction & Grading

What is Standards-Based Instruction?

Standards-based instruction is an educational approach that focuses on teaching and assessing students based on predetermined standards set by educational authorities. These standards outline the knowledge and skills that students are expected to acquire at each grade level. The key components of standards-based instruction include:

1. Clear Learning Goals: Standards specify what students should know and be able to do at each grade level, providing clear and measurable learning objectives.
2. Alignment: Curriculum, instruction, and assessments are aligned with the standards to ensure that teaching and learning activities are focused on helping students meet these objectives.
3. Assessment: Students' progress is measured against the standards through various assessments, which can be formative (ongoing assessments to monitor progress) or summative (end-of-unit or end-of-course assessments).
4. Differentiation: Instruction is differentiated to meet the diverse needs of students, providing additional support or enrichment as needed to help all students achieve the standards.
5. Feedback: Teachers provide specific feedback based on the standards to guide students' learning and improvement.

Overall, the goal of standards-based instruction is to ensure that all students receive a high-quality education and are prepared for future academic and career success.

What is Standards-Based Grading?

Standards-based grading breaks down large subjects into smaller learning objectives to help teachers better measure student learning. Instead of assigning a grade to students according to traditional grading scales, standards-based grading measures students against specific skills and standards. This makes it really clear to teachers where students are thriving and where they need help. 

Many districts across the country have embraced the idea of SBG for decades. Standards-based grading is a way to view student progress based on proficiency levels for identified standards rather than relying on a holistic representation as the sole measure of achievement.

Standards-based grading is often contrasted with the more traditional approach to grading and assessment. Instead of the all-or-nothing, percentages-and-letter-grades system, standards-based approaches consider evidence of learning and the data it produces in different ways. 

Why has Avondale transitioned to Standards-Based Assessing?

As of the 2024-2025 school year, all Avondale schools have transitioned to utilizing Standards-Based Instruction and Assessment. This move aligns with the district's mission to cultivate innovation, foster strong relationships, and engage ALL students in real-world experiences to inspire and empower tomorrow’s leaders and responsible citizens. 

Standards-Based Instruction provides students greater opportunities to engage in project-based learning and real-life experiences. This method redirects the student's focus from percentages on a test or a collection of cumulative points, to a focus on personal growth and advancement. Learning becomes centered on the individual student's ability to grow, understand, and master both skills and content, while being able to better assess their own development and opportunities for growth. 

Under SBA, students are able to take ownership of their learning, and engage in more purposeful, deep discussions about their skills and growth with their teachers and parents. This system puts an emphasis on growth over time, giving students more opportunities to demonstrate learning, and does not penalize them for early learning of a skill.