Elementary Implementation - District (2016)

Background

Discovery Elementary School began standards-based instruction, grading, and reporting in Fall 2015. Ashlawn and Oakridge joined the pilot in Fall of 2018.

Standards-based instruction focuses on what students understand and does not utilize traditional letter grades. Standards-based grading and reporting practices –

Align to best practices in teaching and learning
Promote consistency
Focus on what students know and can do
Are specific
Involve students

The APS pilot schools utilized a progress report that provided families with their student’s current level of mastery for various standards. Standards-based instruction, grading, and reporting expanded:

Fall 2019 to 8 elementary schools (Abingdon, Barrett, Fleet, Hoffman Boston, McKinley, Nottingham, Randolph, & Tuckahoe)
Fall 2021 to 6 elementary schools (Arlington Science Focus, Barcroft, Innovation, Long Branch, Montessori Public School of Arlington, & the elementary Virtual Learning Program)
Fall 2022 to 1 additional elementary school (Carlin Springs)

As the implementation of standards-based reporting is expanded at the elementary level, we will continue to communicate with families, support teachers and administrators, and gather stakeholder feedback.