1. What are standards?

Standards describe what students should know and be able to do in each subject area at each grade level. They help shape the curriculum from one grade to the next because teachers know what instruction has already occurred and can build upon it.

2. Where can I find the standards?

The MM School District Grade Level Standards and the Wisconsin Model Academic Standards (WMAS) are available on the web for all content areas at http://www.madison.k12.wi.us/tnl/standards/index.html

* For thrills, click on MMSD Language Arts Standards and peruse the four standards. Start doing the math: 1 teacher + 100(+) students . . . .

3. What is a standards-based report card?

A standards-based report card is designed to inform families about students’ current levels of achievement toward the MMS District’s Grade Level Standards. Achievement is not measured against other students’ performance, but is measured against specific knowledge and skills needed to make progress through the K-12 system. Academic achievement is reported out separately from non-academic factors (for example: use of class time; homework completion;[sic], and cooperation with peers and adults) so it is very clear what the student knows and is able to do.

* Do teachers truly measure one student’s achievement based on the achievement of another student?

4. Why is the MM School District changing to a standards-based report card at the middle school level?

All students must be offered the opportunity to learn the standards. Performance on standards has a direct impact on students learning what they need to know to be successful at the next grade level and on the standardized assessments. Families have a right to know specifically how a student is performing measured against what the student is expected to know and be able to do.

5. What is the time line for middle school standards-based report cards?

Middle school standards-based report cards will be implemented in 2008-09. A more detailed time line, including professional development opportunities, is posted on the District website.

6. Are we using MMSD Grade Level Standards or Wisconsin Model Academic Standards?

We are using the MMSD Grade Level Standards which are aligned to the Wisconsin State Academic Standards (WMAS).

7. Will teachers be required to use the standards-based report card?

Yes. All middle school staff will be required to use the standards-based report card in 2008-09.

* All? Not for 8th grade Algebra!  Algebra is a high school class taught in middle schools.  High schools use a traditional grading system.

8. Which standards will be on the report card?

There are many [emphasis added] standards in each subject area and reporting out too much information is not useful. Instead, grade level standards are combined into broad categories called power standards. Between 3-5 power standards will be reported out in each subject on the report card.

* Yeah, but the many standards don’t just disappear! Remember that math problem? 1 teacher + 100(+) students + 3-5 power standards + . . .

9. When will a draft of the middle school standards-based report card be available?

A first draft was shared with middle school principals and learning coordinators in December 2007. The December draft of the report card was a key component of the January 14, 2008 professional development provided to all middle school staff. Future drafts will be shared as updates are made throughout the spring 2008 semester.

* Hmmmm. School begins in three weeks. Haven’t seen a draft lately never mind a final!

10. Will all courses at the middle school level be included in the standards-based report card?

Yes. All middle school courses will be included in the standards-based report card and will include the appropriate power standards.

* And what about the teachers of Art, Music, Band, and Health? How many students are on their rosters per quarter?

11. Will letter grades still be used?

Yes. Letter grades will be used to provide summary information for each subject. Letter grades will be based on the student’s grasp of the content and application of that knowledge.

* Although teachers will not be allowed to use letter grades nor average the components of the new grading scale (1, 2, 3, 4), the system will average that scale into letter grades!  Why would both letter grades AND numbers appear on a report card?  To appease parents who did not accept this change.

12. What are Learning Skills?

Learning Skills are work habits and behaviors that support learning. Learning Skills will be reported on the report card in each subject area using marks consistent with the elementary report card – Most of the time (M), Some of the time (S), Rarely (R). Learning Skills are not included in the academic grade or in the Grade Point Average.

* 1 teacher + 100(+) students + 3-5 power standards and the many standards in a subject area + 3 Learning Skills . . .

13. How is homework reported in a standards-based reporting system?

Homework has a dual role in a standards-based reporting system. Homework completion is an expectation of students and included under a section called Learning Skills. What students learn by doing homework will be demonstrated through the use of classroom assessments.

14. Will middle schools continue to report grades all four quarters?

Yes. There will be no changes in the quarterly reporting system that is currently in place.

* 1 teacher + 100(+) students + 3-5 power standards and the many standards in a subject area + 3 Learning Skills X 4 quarters . . .

15. Will progress reports still be used in a standards-based system?

Yes. There will be no differences in the practice regarding communicating with families for students who are not making expected progress.

* 1 teacher + 100(+) students + 3-5 power standards and the many standards in a subject area + 3 Learning Skills X 4 quarters 8 reporting periods . . .

16. Will there be common language used for proficiency levels?

Yes. The development of common language to describe proficiency levels is in progress and will be released in May 2008.

17. How will teachers ensure consistent evaluation of student work district-wide.

The development and refinement of assessment tools will be an on-going process. As teachers gain confidence and expertise in the use of standards-based tools, they will be key in the co-development of these tools.

* 1 teacher + 100(+) students + 3-5 power standards and the many standards in a subject area + 3 Learning Skills X 4 quarters 8 reporting periods + developing assessment tools . . .

Generic rubrics will be implemented in all content areas in 2008-09. District-wide common assessments will be implemented in all content areas in 2010-2011.

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