Wentzville School District

Elementary Standards-Based GradingThrough WSD Standards-Based grading, a student’s academic learning is the focus of what is recorded and communicated on student report cards.

Elementary years are key to building foundational skills and concepts students will need to be successful in future schooling and beyond. We believe it is imperative to clearly communicate student’s progress as it relates to these foundational skills and concepts.

This transparent communication, from kindergarten through fifth grade, will provide valuable information as students transition into their secondary years. Prior to beginning sixth grade, students and families can be better informed as to instructional strengths and needs giving a clear picture of the whole student.

Scores and report cards will communicate what students know academically based on a Missouri Learning Standards.  Students will have report card indicators that summarize groups of standards by which they are scored on.

Teachers utilize proficiency scales to guide instructional expectations and scoring for students.  In kindergarten though fifth grade, teachers will use the proficiency scales that include a range from 1 to 4 to communicate students’ academic performance on the Missouri and Wentzville Priority Learning Standards, with 3 being the target.  

4 → Wow! The student is like a detective! They can figure out even the tricky stuff we didn't learn directly and use it in new ways. (Independently demonstrate in-depth inferences and application of the standard that was not explicitly taught.)

3 → Awesome! The student totally gets it and can show what they know all by themselves. (Independently demonstrate understanding of the standard. This is the expectation.)

2 → Great job! The student understands the important basics and can show they know the foundational ideas all on their own. (Independently demonstrate understanding of foundational skills and understandings of the standard)

1 → We're working together, and the student is starting to get it! They can show some or even most of what the standard is about with a little help. (Demonstrate partial to full understanding of the standard with help)

Overall letter grades for subject areas will be phased out over the next three years, beginning with third grade.  In fourth and fifth grade for 2025-2026 SY and fifth grade for 2026-2027 SY, the average score from the standards reporting will be translated into a letter grade for the subject as indicated below:

3.0 - 4.0 = A

2.5 - 2.9 = B

2.0 - 2.4 = C

1.0 - 1.9 = D

Secondary Grading PracticesMiddle and high school courses utilize consistent grading practices with a clear focus on how they communicate what your child knows and can do.  These grading practices include the use of two grading categories: Assessment of Standards and Practice of Standards.

Think of these new grading categories as two different lenses through which we look at your child's learning:

1. Assessment of Standards (70% - The "What They Know" Lens):

• This is the main way we show you what your child has truly learned. This category focuses on measuring how well your child has grasped the essential knowledge and skills (the "standards") for each subject.
• The grades here come from tasks that directly assess their understanding. Things like tests, projects, quizzes, performances, or any task a teacher believes assesses if your child can apply what they've learned.  There is flexibility here for teachers to determine what is assessing student learning.
• A higher percentage (70%) emphasizes that mastery is key. We want the grade in this category to be a clear indicator of how well your child understands the core concepts independently.

In simple terms, this 70% tells you: "Here's how well your child has actually learned and can demonstrate the important stuff in this subject."

2. Practice of Standards (30% - The "How They're Learning" Lens):

• This category shows you how your child is progressing as they learn. It reflects their engagement and participation in the learning process.
• The grades here come from activities that help them learn and build understanding. Classwork, homework, and discussions are important parts of practice.
• While important, this category is weighted less (30%) because it's about the journey of learning. It acknowledges that mastering new material involves trial and error and provides opportunities for your child to explore, make mistakes, and learn from them without those initial missteps heavily impacting their overall demonstration of knowledge.

Think of this 30% as showing: "Here's how your child is engaging with the material and practicing the skills that will eventually lead to mastery."

Consistent Communication:

This two-category system aims to make grading more consistent and easier for you to understand across all your child's classes. Instead of different teachers using different methods, this standardized approach provides a clearer picture of your child's learning in every subject.

Ultimately, this updated grading system is designed to give you a more accurate and detailed understanding of what your child knows, understands, and is able to do in relation to the learning standards. It separates the demonstration of mastery from the process of learning, providing a clearer picture of both.