Testimonials

We are fortunate that many of our schools have already transitioned to standards-based grading and reporting so we have a proven track record of success with this change. Below are a few testimonials from various stakeholders (parents, teachers, administrators, etc.) in our Diocese.

“I have found my child continues to be motivated to do well in school in the standard based grading format. The competencies are better defined for her to understand what she needs to become proficient in so she can move into the next area of learning. In subjects she has struggled in, this format has allowed her and her teacher to break down the area of struggle and focus on just that rather than she got a bad grade on the assignment and now has to do extra well in everything else to pass the class.  I find standard based report cards to be no different than a letter grade report card. Both report cards tell me how my student is doing and if they are competent in what they have learned.” -Parent at OLPH

"As a parent and educator, I was thrilled to learn that St. Francis DeSales Elementary will be implementing standards based report cards.  This is a sound educational practice that will allow students, parents and teachers to know specifically what the child has mastered regarding the content standards.  Students will feel empowered to take ownership of their learning because they will not be chasing a letter grade.  Instead, they will know exactly what they are expected to learn.  This information will provide the data teachers need to enrich or reinforce learning for individual students." - Parent at St. Francis de Sales, Newark

“Standards-based grading has been the foundation of my classroom. It allows me, as the educator, to more easily communicate the expectations I have for my students. I truly believe it allows my students to feel more involved and in control of their own educational journey. I often tell my students, "When I was in school, the grading system was unforgiving. To do well, I was expected to walk into the classroom mastering a concept before truly even being taught it." I am an absolute advocate for the "process" approach over the "product" approach to education. Doesn't the beauty of learning lay in the process of connecting the dots and meaning-making? Standards-based grading lays its roots in that very mindset.” -Upper School Language Arts Teacher at St. James the Less

“For me personally, standards-based grading has shaped my instructional practices for the past 9 years teaching. Because of standards-based grading, all of my lessons and assessments are directly aligned with standards; this ensures that students are learning what they are supposed to be learning and I, as a teacher, am provided with an accurate representation of student knowledge. With standards-based grading, all students are held to the same high expectations and grading practices are easily communicate to parents and stakeholders.” -Physical Education Teacher at St. James the Less

“We have been using standard based instruction and assessment at St. Brigid of Kildare School for the last 15 years.  Our students have grown in their academic abilities and most importantly now learn for the sake of learning and not just to get an "A" and to be on the honor roll.  During this 15 year time period we have received 2 National Blue Ribbon Awards indicating that our standardized test scores are in the top 15% in the nation. Our students have successfully matriculated to high school and are considered among the most high performing students at Watterson and St. Charles.”  -Principal, St. Brigid of Kildare