Equitable Grading Background:
Over
the past 5 years, beginning on Opening Day of September 2016, our learning
community has engaged in extensive learning and conversations related to
equitable grading practices.
During
the 2016-17 school year, teacher leaders engaged in a Book Study of,
"Grading Smarter, Not Harder" by Myron Dueck. In 2017 and 2018,
teacher leaders and some teachers were able to attend a PD by Rick
Wormeli. Teacher leaders also looked at specific SHS data, including the
discrepancy between final course averages and final exam averages (both local
exams and Regents exams), as well as the number of students receiving grades
above 100%. Staff continued learning and reflecting on their own practices
during department meetings and faculty meetings.
The
focus of the October 2018 Conference Day was teacher discussions through
"Grading Roundtables" where teachers shared the practices they had
been learning about and how that had positively impacted their classrooms.
Small groups of teachers proposed grading pilots to implement some of the
things they had been learning about and were encouraged to do so.
In
the 2018-19 school year, an effort comment was added to the report card, modeled
after elementary school verbiage (who use SBG style report cards).
In
January 2019, Mr. McCabe established a committee to evaluate the tradition of
having a Val/Sal. The committee recommended in April 2019 to move to a
Cum Laude and Magna Cum Laude system, which will begin in the 2021-22 school
year.
In
March 2019, SHS teachers voted to adopt a consistent building grading
philosophy beginning in the 2019-2020 school year.
Throughout
this time, Assessment, Blended Learning/Digital Conversion, CRE, SEL have been
a focus for the district, which included extensive work on Learning Targets and
the Assessment Cycle. In 2019, Joe Feldman wrote, "Grading for
Equity: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How It Can Transform Schools and
Classrooms", directly correlating these initiatives.
In
August 2019 and Feb 2020, Grading Smarter, Not Harder professional development
courses for teachers were conducted, with approximately 20 new teachers
engaging in these sessions.
In
March 2020, the pandemic shifted our focus elsewhere, but also brought forward
just how imperative these conversations and shifts are. For some, this has been an opportunity to
spend more time with family or embrace a new hobby. For others, this has
been a time of unprecedented stress, anxiety, and situational poverty, all of which have had significant impact on the
academic needs of our students.
In
September 2021, we introduced the DRAFT 3 Year Equitable Grading Plan to the
building staff. This plan was created by
a group of 25 high school teachers and administrators.
In
October 2021, all teachers at SHS spent 3 hours engaged in learning and
discussion about Equitable Grading Practices. They reviewed the DRAFT 3
Year Plan and explored the 3 Pillars of Equitable Grading. All teachers were provided the chance to
participate in the Equitable Grading Task Force and receive a copy of Grading
for Equity by Joe Feldman.
In
October/November 2021, all departments engaged in follow up conversations with Mr.
McCabe and Ms. Silsby, focused on what questions teachers still had and what
adjustments to our structures and systems people felt like would be necessary
to implement more Equitable Grading Practices.
Equitable Grading Task Force:
For the 2021-22 school year, SHS has formed an Equitable Grading Task Force to continue learning and making recommendations about shifting grading practices in the building. The Task Force members are listed below. This group will meet 3 days during the year, November 30th, March 7th, and April 11th.
Members:
- Cory Allen (Chief Information Officer)
- Katie Allen (ELA Teacher)
- Christina Beeley (ELA Teacher Leader)
- Angela Borrego-Chase (Spencerport Graduate)
- Kristin Cocchiara (Math Teacher/Content Focused Coach)
- Chris Crowell (Science Teacher Leader)
- Rick Hepler (Science Teacher/Content Focused Coach)
- JoAnn Krywy (Counselor)
- Katie Mason (Special Education/Academy Teacher)
- Sean McCabe (High School Building Principal)
- Justin Montois (Technology Teacher)
- Sara Moyer (World Language Teacher)
- Rick Mueller (Social Studies Teacher)
- Jackie Nentarz (PE Teacher/PE and Health Teacher Leader)
- Colin Nobles (Technology Teacher)
- Kristen Paolini (Director of Curriculum)
- Katherine Resch (World Language Teacher)
- Paul Resch (Academy Social Studies Teacher)
- Megan Sarkis (Parent/Higher Ed Representative)
- Erin Shaw (High School Assistant Principal)
- Rachel Sherman (Special Education Teacher)
- Jess Silsby (High School Assistant Principal)
- Melanie Thomas (World Language Teacher Leader)
- Amanda Van Huben (Special Education Teacher)
- Miranda Wharram-Santillo (Science Teacher)
- Ty Zinkiewich (Assistant Superintendent for Instruction)