Standards-Based Learning in Action: Moving From Theory to Practice

by Tom Schimmer, Garnet Hillman, Mandy Stalets

Get past the knowing-doing gap and confidently implement standards-based learning. This book offers a comprehensive look at what standards-based learning looks like in action, from creating formative assessments to using data to inform instruction to transitioning to standards-based grading systems. Instead of comparing students to each other, standards-based learning compares students' proficiency to performance standards and education targets. Each chapter offers readers a well-thought-out action plan for implementation and effective strategies for communicating with students and parents about the classroom changes that will occur during the transition.

Use this book as your action plan for implementing standards-based


Explore concrete steps for putting standards-based grading, instruction, and learning into action. Implement schoolwide change beginning with classroom practices. Address common implementation mistakes and challenges. Effectively sequence units and align them with unpacked standards. Create effective proficiency level scales and rubrics.

Introduction
Chapter 1: Standards-Based Learning in Action
Chapter 2: Standards Alignment in Action
Chapter 3: Formative Assessment in Action
Chapter 4: Effective Feedback in Action
Chapter 5: Meaningful Homework in Action
Chapter 6: Self- and Peer Assessment in Action
Chapter 7: Summative Assessment in Action
Chapter 8: Redos, Retakes, and Reassessment in Action
Chapter 9: Proficiency Scales and Rubrics in Action
Chapter 10: Standards-Based Reporting in Action
Epilogue
References and Resources
Index

Genres: Education, Teaching, Nonfiction

354 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 31, 2018

Reviews

[Jens Hieber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much clearer and more practical than the last one I read on this topic.

[Krina Huddlestun · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must read for anyone looking to move from traditional grading practices to standards based reporting. The books is laid out to help teachers address commons challenges in the classroom & outside of the classroom. There are helpful suggestions that work across grade levels and content areas. The chapters on formative assessments, feedback, homework, rubrics & proficiency scales are extremely useful. There are also available online resources and PDFs.

[Jessica Liew · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have never read one of Schimmer's books about standards-based grading, this is worth a read. If you have, you will find much of the information in this book to be very similar and you could probably skim read several of the chapters as the main points are the same.

[Julia Ross · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh… for a book with the words “in action,” I was really disappointed with the Lack of figures and actual exampLes. Other SBG books I’m reading seem way more helpful. Way too much of an imbalance between the writing and examples of real world application.

[Jake Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful as my district starts looking at SBL. Provides info on a lot of aspects of SBL but certain sections were a little repetitive and could have been much shorter.

[Jake Van Dyke · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the better things on SBL that I’ve read. Chapters 7 and 9 in particular were incredibly useful.

[Lin F · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as part of a standards-based grading committee I'm on with my school district. I thought that this book provided excellent guidance on the factors to consider with standards-based grading such as making grades more meaningful, measuring progress towards attaining standards, formative vs summative assessments, and reporting grades in a way that truly reflects what the student knows and can do. I felt like I already knew a lot of these topics going in, so in some cases the book was merely confirming that knowledge, but I still learned a lot and found value in the examples provided. There were great rubric, report card, grade scale conversion, and other types of samples included in this book.

[Gordon Eldridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a very comprehensive look at moving to a standards-based system of teaching and learning. The book covers the implications for learning, formative assessment and feedback, homework, self-assessment, summative assessment and reporting chapter by chapter. Each chapter starts with research and moves to practical advice then ends with a section on communicating with students and with parents.

The advice given in the book is useful and solid. Concrete examples are also present, but the authors have chosen to use real examples from schools rather than 'ideal' examples that they create. This means that the examples are of varying quality. Some are extremely useful. Others much less so. As a general guide, the book is very good.

[Jessica Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

My district is in the process of making the switch to standards-based grading. We were given this book to help us with beginning this process. I found the book to be very accessible and explained not only the reasoning behind standards-based grading but also lays out the process for how to begin implementing it. It has lots of helpful resources and has been incredibly thought-provoking. I would recommend it to anyone who is thinking about making the change to standards-based grading.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for implementing a standards based grading system in a classroom. I used this for concrete ideas and justification. I particularly loved the end of every chapter which included common questions and responses. It has made the transition much easier for me. It was a great follow up to "Grading for Equity" by Joe Feldman.

[Justin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rather dry, yet informative, read about standards based grading. I was assigned to read this as part of a book study as my entire school goes to standards based grading. Worth a read if you're brand new to the concept, but I've already had multiple years of experience with it. The book is definitely set up well and for implementation versus just research.

[David Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read especially if you, your school, or school district is considering moving to Standards Based Learning. Key chapters for me included Meaningful Homework in Action, Redos, Retakes, and Reassessment in Action, & Proficieny Scales and Rubrics in Action.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good starter book for those disillusioned with the current status of grading and who desire to make learning take clear priority in the classroom for everyone. This book is very academic and research-based, and covers all the angles of SBL and SBG.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear and so, so practical! This should be he second book you read about SBGR— after “On Your Mark” or another of the theory books.

[Marriah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an easy read with a lot of practical applications for proficiency based grading. I also liked the many charts that you can download.

[Abigail Marshall]

This is one of those texts I don't dare review until it's put into practice. Rating pending.

[Lane Halterman · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent look at moving from a traditional classroom to standards based learning. Easy to read quickly, or do a deeper dive with a book study group.