Nationally Recognized for its

Exemplary Blue Ribbon Schools

Lake Orion Community Schools
Administration Building
315 N. Lapeer Street, Lake Orion, MI 48362

Phone: 2486935400
Fax: 2486935464

August 22, 2014


Dear K 3 Parents,

The Lake Orion Community School District is moving to standards based grading this
school year for grades K 3.

Let me begin by explaining that Standards Based Grading is a fancy way of saying that we
want to report to you and your student(s) about their progress toward Michigan
Academic Standards, or learning targets for your students grade level. Each content
area, like reading, writing, math, social studies, science, art, physical education, etc. has
its own standards, which tell us what students need to know and be able to do at certain
points in learning in these content areas. Standards Based Grading allows us to have
common language and practice across our system in what we expect of students at
various grade levels and various content areas. Standards Based Grading allows for
parents and students to understand the expectations and their next steps toward being
on grade level.

Standards Based Grading works in a way that provides a learning continuum. As teachers
plan for lessons, they use units of study that align to these standards and determine what
assignments and assessments students will do along the way. Once completed, teachers
then look at those assignments and assessments and determine student progress toward
the standards. When an assignment or assessment is assessed, it is assigned a 1, 2, or 3.
The descriptions of the 1, 2, and 3 level work for final grading purposes can be found in
the gradebook reporting criteria for each content area. It is through the gradebook
reporting criteria that we support common expectations for student performance across
our entire district.

In addition to gradebook reporting criteria for final grades, teachers also use assignment
or assessment criteria to let you and students know what expectations are of student
work, as well as how our student did on a particular assignment or assessment. Often the
criterion for certain assignments or assessments is in the form of a rubric. For example, if
students write a poem in a poetry unit, the teacher might share a rubric with students
that describes the elements of quality poetry. Sometimes teachers even create these
rubrics or criteria for certain assignments along with students.








Marion Ginopolis
Superintendent

John Fitzgerald
Assistant Superintendent
of Business and Finance

Heidi Mercer
Assistant Superintendent
of Teaching and Learning

Bill Putney
Assistant Superintendent
of Human Resources




One very common misconception around Standards Based Grading is that students may not receive a 3 until
the end of the school year. This is FALSE. Students may receive a 3 at any point in the year. The common
theme in 3 level work is that students take what they know about a standard and apply that knowledge to
new and unique circumstances. Likewise, it is typical for a student to earn a 2 throughout the year with the
expectation of a 3 at the end of the year. Teachers are working to make sure students have opportunities all
along the year to apply their knowledge to new and unique circumstances. At any given point along the year,
students will be given opportunities to apply their learning at a level 3. Please also note that if a student is
performing at a level 3, then he or she is performing at proficiency for that grade level.

One other important understanding is for you to know that your student can and should have the opportunity
to show progress toward a standard multiple times. Many teachers allow students to re-do work, or re-take
assessments after further practice, to show progress toward standards over time. A students grade will not
be averaged, which allows lower performance on assignments and assessments to bring down a grade.
Instead, your students performance will be looked at over time.

We are excited about the potential of Standards Based Grading as a tool to support common expectations for
all students in all standards. Each elementary school will be hosting informational meetings regarding
Standards Based Grading on the same evening as curriculum night. If you cannot attend your home schools
informational meeting on curriculum night, you are more that welcome to attend the meeting at another
elementary that fits your schedule. Additionally, you can find information on our website under the Teaching
and Learning tab. Attached is more detailed information with some frequently asked questions regarding
Standards Based Grading.

We have been looking forward to this change in our grading system and feel that it will provide our students,
parents and teachers with more specific information about how each student is performing on the standards.

Thank you for your continued support as we work collaboratively in the best interest of our students.
Please see below the schedule of report card training sessions. The meetings should run approximately 30
45 minutes. You are free to go to any one of these that is convenient to you.

Sincerely,

Heidi Mercer


BUILDING DATE 1
ST
SESSION 2
ND
SESSION
Blanche Sims September 17 7:25 P.M. 8:05 P.M.
Orion Oaks September 11 6:30 P.M. 7:10 P.M.
Paint Creek September 11 5:00 P.M. 7:15 P.M.
Pine Tree September 4 5:30 P.M. 6:45 P.M.
Stadium Drive September 11 6:00 P.M. 6:45 P.M.
Webber September 4 7:30 P.M. 8:30 P.M.