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Mastery Based Grading

Over the past several years, PUSD has provided secondary teachers with training in Mastery Based Grading practices. These teachers have conducted action research in their classrooms to see both the quantitative and qualitative effects these practices have had on their students.

Why Mastery Based Grading?

In a more traditional grading model, the following are often true:

  1. Grades are inconsistent
  2. Grades are subjective
  3. Grades are biased
  4. Grades are inaccurate

How does Mastery Based Grading help?

A mastery based grading system is designed around these three pillars.

  1. Grades should be accurate: Teachers should use calculations that are mathematically sound, easy to understand, and that correctly describe a student’s level of content mastery
  2. Grades should be bias-resistant: They should not be based on evidence that is potentially influenced by a teacher’s implicit bias, or that reflects a student’s identity or home environment
  3. Grades should be motivational: A grading system should motivate students to achieve academic success, support a growth mindset, and give students opportunities for redemption.

All of the mastery based grading practices come from a desire to support those pillars.

What are some Mastery Based Grading practices?

There is not one set of practices that every teacher will utilize in a mastery based classroom, but here are some potential examples:

  • Allow retakes and redos - Offer multiple opportunities for students to demonstrate their learning. Offer some amount of grace in due dates - students have chaotic lives oftentimes largely out of their control.
  • Essential Standards - Determine what is truly essential for your students to know. Grade them on these things and only these things.
  • Reconsider homework - While independent practice is essential for learning, homework should not factor too strongly in a student's grade, as the environment in which students are asked to complete it can vary widely from student to student. Instead, grades should be more heavily weighted by performance on a summative assessment.
  • Utilize rubrics - Rubrics provide clarity and consistency, and help reduce the impact of implicit biases.

For more information, please see these frequently asked questions.