Grading for Learning: Secondary

For the past several years, the Appleton Area School District has studied methods of grading that accurately reflect and report student learning. This work has resulted in a standards-based approach that we call Grading for Learning. We believe this will assist our teachers to authentically and accurately communicate student achievement on the identified course standards.

Standards-based instruction and grading expands the instructional purposes of grading. Standards-based grading: 

• clarifies learning goals/targets
• clearly identifies success criteria for learning goals/targets
• states clear indications of student strength/weaknesses
• provides information on career and life skills
• supports instructional practices that maximize student motivation