What are Grading Scales?
Grading Scales are the measurements used to track student performance. When an assessment is created, a grading scale must be chosen to determine how the assessment will be graded.
There are two types of grading scales:
Points Grading Scale
Use numerical point values to score questions.
Example shown above: this student earned 1 point on this question.
Partial credit is a possibility with this type of grading scale using an advanced assessment.
Standards-Based Grading Scales
Use terms to score questions rather than numerical point values.
Example shown above: this student earned Mastery on this question.
These are created and edited in the Main Admin account.
A district can use multiple standards-based grading scales.
On an assessment, an incorrect answer will receive the lowest performance level, while a correct answer will receive the highest performance level. Performance levels that are in-between will have to be manually scored.
When are Grading Scales Used?
Creating Assessments: When assessments are created, a grading scale must be selected. This will determine how the questions on the assessment will be graded. It will also have an impact on how the assessment appears in the gradebook.
Filtering the Standards View of the Gradebook: When viewing standards scores in the gradebook, the available grading scales are located in a filter.
Standards Analytics: When running reports in Standards Analytics, you can filter your search by grading scales.
Report Cards: When running standards-based report cards you'll have to select the grading scale to use to run the reports.
Example of a Standards-Based Grading Scale in Action
The information below will provide an example of how a standards-based grading scale is used, from creating an assessment to viewing the results in the gradebook and analytics.
Creating the Assessment
When the assessment is created, a standards-based grading scale can be selected under the Select a Grading Scale menu.
Scoring the Assessment
When using a standards-based grading scale, the performance levels are the scoring options. The student doesn't earn numeric points, rather, they will earn a performance level that is provided by the chosen grading scale.
The example shown below is from an Advanced Assessment. Simple and Rubric assessments look a bit different, but the same concept applies.
Each question/descriptor is considered an attempt on a standard. All attempts are added to the standards gradebook.
Viewing in the Gradebook
Data collected from assessments that use a standards-based grading scale is primarily stored in the standards view of the gradebook. Each column represents a standard. Under each column, you'll find the overall performance level earned on that standard.
Selecting any cell will show the breakdown of which assessment each of the attempts on that standard came from.
You can also view the standards-based assessments in the assessments gradebook, where you can view overall performance, adjust completion statuses, and comment.
❗ Questions must have a standard linked in order to see results in the standards view of the gradebook.
Example of the Points Grading Scale in Action
Creating the Assessment
When the assessment is created, the Points grading scale can be selected under the Grading Scale menu.
Scoring the Assessment
When using the Points grading scale, the student earns numeric points.
The example shown below is from an Advanced Assessment. Simple and Rubric assessments look a bit different, but the same concept applies.
Viewing in the Gradebook
You can find the score for each assessment in the assessments view of the gradebook.
