This guide breaks down what it is, why it matters, and how it works, along with practical tips for implementation. Whether you’re leading districtwide change or piloting a new grading system in a single classroom, you’ll walk away with the clarity and resources you need to move forward.
Unfortunately, letter grades can mask what a student truly knows.
One student might ace tests but never complete homework. Another might struggle with participation but shows mastery over time. In a traditional system, both might receive the same final grade (or wildly different ones) depending on the teacher.
Standards-based grading (SBG) offers a clearer, fairer way to measure student progress. Instead of a single, averaged score, SBG evaluates students on their mastery of specific learning standards over time.
Let’s dive into how it works, why it matters, and what it takes to implement it well.
SBG is a method of assessing student learning based on how well students demonstrate mastery of specific academic standards, not by collecting points or percentages. These standards can be national, state-level, or even created by your own school or district to reflect local priorities.
The concept of tracking mastery through learning objectives isn’t new; it’s been around since the 1980s. However, SBG didn’t gain broader traction until the 2000s with the rise of standards-aligned instruction and increased emphasis on data-driven decision-making. Fast forward to today, where thousands of schools across the U.S. have adopted some form of SBG, particularly in elementary and middle schools.
SBG uses a proficiency scale instead of a traditional 0-100 grading system.
Students receive marks like:
This communicates what they know and where they still need support, with much more clarity than a letter grade ever could.
While there isn’t national data on exactly how many schools use SBG, a recent statewide survey in Wyoming found that 10% of middle schools and 5% of high schools had fully implemented the approach, while over half of middle schools and nearly a third of high schools had begun implementing it. The approach is especially common in pockets of the country like New Hampshire, Maine, and Wisconsin, with more recent adoption in states like Connecticut, New Mexico, and Oregon.
To make the most of SBG, it helps to understand how academic standards are structured.
Understanding this structure helps teachers break down big concepts into manageable chunks and helps students build confidence as they master each step.
Let’s be honest. Traditional grading has been around forever, but that doesn’t mean it’s working for everyone. Points and percentages may be familiar, but they don’t always reflect what students have actually learned. Standards-based grading flips the script by focusing on mastery, not averages.
Here’s a quick side-by-side look:
Traditional Grading |
Standards-Based Grading |
| Based on points, percentages, and averages | Based on mastery of specific standards |
| Includes behavior, effort, and extra credit | Focuses only on academic achievement |
| One overall grade per subject | Multiple scores tied to specific skills |
| Can vary widely by teacher | Promotes consistency across classrooms |
| Harder for families to interpret | Easier to understand strengths and needs |
Traditional grading systems are losing fans amongst educators. According to an EdWeek survey, only about 1 in 6 educators see A-F or numeric grades as a truly effective way to give students feedback.
To put it simply, educators know that students deserve more than a vague letter grade. Many teachers believe standards-based instruction and grading helps them better understand their students' needs, customize instruction, and create a more supportive classroom culture. Students are less likely to compare grades competitively and more likely to embrace mistakes as part of the learning process.
Here’s why educators are turning to SBG:
SBG isn’t just about changing the report card. It’s about changing mindsets around learning – and that should excite you.
When done well, SBG motivates students to take ownership of their learning. It helps them:
In classrooms using SBG, it’s common to see students self-assessing with rubrics, reflecting on feedback, and setting learning goals. And those behaviors stick.
SBG offers clarity and consistency in grading practices. It helps teachers:
In professional learning communities (PLCs), teachers often review student mastery data together and share instructional strategies based on where students are struggling. This leads to more targeted teaching and faster interventions.
School leaders need real-time, accurate data to drive decision-making. SBG helps administrators:
Instead of waiting for benchmark scores, leaders can use SBG data to identify trends, adjust programming, and direct resources to the students and standards that need attention most.
Implementing SBG isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. Like any worthwhile initiative, it takes time, planning, and – perhaps most importantly – meaningful collaboration.
Here are three things that make a world of difference:
SBG can feel like a big shift because it is a big shift.
Here are three things that help:
We get it. SBG report cards look really different. But here’s what families should know:
This isn’t about giving fewer As or Bs. It’s about giving better information.
Instead of a B+, families can see that their child is “developing” in citing evidence in writing and “mastering” main idea identification. That opens the door to clearer conversations and better support at home.
Moving to SBG is a big undertaking, so you don’t want to rely on spreadsheets, patchwork platforms, or disconnected tools. Schools need a system that makes it easy to assess, track, and report progress toward learning standards while supporting targeted instruction and student growth.
Otus is a K–12 assessment, data, and insights solution designed for standards-based grading. It helps schools and districts make grading more transparent, instruction more informed, and communication more consistent.
With Otus, you can:
SBG is so much more than just a different way to report grades; it’s a better way to support learning.
Whether you’re just starting the conversation or leading a full rollout, standards-based grading can help your school focus on what matters most: student growth.