Problem Solving Mastery-Based Grading - E095

This week, we are chatting all about mastery-based grading in skills-based curriculum areas. We've got a packed episode where Rachel is reflecting on her thought processes and Katie helps with problem-solving some challenges with mastery-based grading.

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**For detailed show notes, please visit our website at https://edugals.com/95**

• Mastery-based scales for skills - easy to understand for students, teachers, and parents
• Proficiency scales from the book: Going Gradeless by Dave Frangiosa and Elise Burns
• Start by breaking it down:
  • What are the key skills you want students developing in your course?
  • Break it down - what does it look like for each level of the scale?
  • Consider benchmarks
  • How many levels do you want in your scale?
  • How would this convert into grades? Consider a grade conversion scale
• Standards-based grading scales - for science it can be tricky because you value both background knowledge AND skills (see Jessica Liew's episode E084 to learn more)
• Teasing apart knowledge and skills is challenging - what are you actually assessing?
• Assessment plan: 
  • Mastery checks for background knowledge only
  • Checkpoints (cumulative quizzes) - both knowledge and skills (problem solving, communication) with re-tests focused on knowledge only
  • Inquiry, design thinking, projects - all skills based scales
  • Skills scales have 3 levels - Got It, Almost, Not Yet
  • Scaffold building of the skills within the assessments themselves
• Regardless of system, communication is going to be key!
• Final grades:
  • Percentage of mastery demonstrated of knowledge and skills
  • Skills can be most recent, most consistent - replacing grades in your gradebook
• Try group moderated grading as you try this out
• Expect grading conversations to take a long time!
• I can statements as a checklist for mastery-based grading with space for comments/feedback
• You don't have to have all the answers - try, fail, learn, and iterate!

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