Sunnybrook School District 171

Sunnybrook School Distirct 171 has adopted Standards-based grading (SBG) for grades K – 5th as a way to improve how student learning is assessed and communicated. Here are the core reasons why we made the shift:

• Clarity and Transparency

  • Traditional grading often includes behavior, effort, participation, and extra credit, which can obscure a student's actual understanding.

  • SBG separates academic performance from non-academic factors, giving students and parents a clearer picture of what has been learned and what still needs work.

• Focus on Mastery

  • SBG is aligned with clearly defined learning standards or objectives.

  • Students are assessed on what they know and can do, not how well they perform relative to others.

  • Encourages growth mindset—students can improve their scores by demonstrating progress over time.

• Improved Feedback

  • SBG provides specific feedback on strengths and areas for improvement, rather than a single summary grade (e.g., a B or 85%).

  • This helps students, teachers, and parents target support and interventions more effectively.

• Fairness and Consistency

  • Grades reflect consistent criteria, reducing subjectivity.

  • Teachers evaluate based on evidence of learning rather than behavior, effort, or class average.

• Encourages Relearning and Retakes

  • Students are often given multiple opportunities to demonstrate mastery.

  • Shifts focus from “getting it right the first time” to eventual understanding, which mirrors how people learn in real life.

• Better Communication with Stakeholders

  • Report cards become more meaningful to parents and students.

  • They clearly communicate which standards have been met, and which haven’t.

• Supports Equity

  • Helps reduce bias by focusing on demonstrated learning rather than subjective factors.

  • Encourages equal opportunity for all students to succeed regardless of background.