Making Grades Matter: Standards-Based Grading in a Secondary PLC (A practical guide for PLCs and standards-based grading at the secondary education level)

Maximize learning by making grades more meaningful and motivating to students. With the support of this practical guide, professional learning communities (PLCs) will discover a clear road map for implementing a standards-based grading system at the secondary level. The authors provide all of the actionable ideas and tools needed to not only transition to this improved system but to achieve the greatest possible success with it.

Use this resource to help students feel engaged with their learning and increase their classroom performance:

• Study the foundational theories behind the standards-based grading system and how it interacts with and is supported by the PLC process.
• Learn how to use grades to effectively communicate students' mastery of learning standards.
• See what makes ungraded homework and independent practice a better tool to improve learning and enhance students' motivation to study.
• Understand the value of allowing students multiple opportunities to demonstrate their learning when taking assessments.
• Gain valuable insights for administrators and leaders into the multiyear journey of implementing standards-based grading.

Contents:
Introduction
Chapter 1: Standards-Based Grading in a Professional Learning Community
Chapter 2: How Grades Communicate Current Levels of Learning
Chapter 3: How Homework Serves as Ungraded Practice
Chapter 4: How to Provide Students With Multiple Opportunities to Demonstrate Their Learning
Chapter 5: Criteria for Administrators and Leaders Implementing Standards-Based Grading
Conclusion
Appendix

Matt Townsley, EdD, is an assistant professor of educational leadership at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa. He is a former district administrator and teacher in Solon Community Schools, also in Iowa, where he led curriculum, assessment, and school improvement initiatives, all under the umbrella of a professional learning community philosophy. Solon Community Schools was named a district of distinction in 2015 by District Administration magazine, and Solution Tree recognized multiple buildings in the district as model professional learning communities during his tenure. Through conferences, professional development, and workshops, Dr. Townsley has consulted with thousands of teachers and administrators across the country on the topics of assessment and standards-based grading.

In 2017, Dr. Townsley was named Iowa's Central Office Administrator of the year, and in 2014, he was recognized as an ASCD Emerging Leader. His writing has been published in journals such as Educational Leadership, School Administrator (AASA), The Journal of Research in Education, The Journal of School Administration Research and Development, and American Secondary Education.

Dr. Townsley received a bachelor's degree in mathematics education from Wartburg College, a master's degree in curriculum and instructional technology from Iowa State University, an advanced studies certificate in educational leadership from the University of Northern Iowa, and a doctorate in school improvement from the University of West Georgia.

To learn more about Dr. Townsley's work, follow @mctownsley on Twitter.

Nathan L. Wear is associate superintendent and chief academic officer of Linn-Mar Community School District in Marion, Iowa, a district of nearly eight thousand students. He is the former principal of Solon High School in Solon, Iowa, where he and his staff championed grading reform efforts and implemented standards-based grading within a professional learning community. During his time in Solon, his staff was recognized as a national model for professional learning communities, and Solon High School was named one of America's best high schools in 2014. Prior to Solon, Nathan was the principal at Pence Elementary in Fairfield, Iowa. He has been an educator since 2002, with a background in elementary teaching, standards-based grading, and assessment. He also serves as an adjunct professor.

Nathan is an active member of the School Administrators of Iowa, a statewide organization committed to providing support and development for Iowa's school leaders. His strong belief that leading with a positive organizational culture through high accountability has resulted in marked improvement in the schools where he has worked. He has presented throughout Iowa and Minnesota to principals, teachers, superintendents, and other school leaders on topics ranging from standards-based grading to professional learning communities and has provided school leaders with valuable professional development in those areas.

Nathan received his bachelor's degree from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, in 2002 and a master's degree in educational administration from Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas, in 2005. He received his superintendent endorsement from the University of Northern Iowa in 2011 and is currently finishing his doctorate in educational leadership at the same institution.

To learn more about Nathan's work, follow him on Twitter @Nathan_Wear.