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Grading Philosophy

Gradient Learning’s grading policy prioritizes the development of Cognitive Skills that students need for success in college and career. Because these are lifelong skills, Cognitive Skills cut across subjects, courses, and grade levels.  Students are graded on a 4 point rubric. 4- exceeds expectations, 3- meets expectations, 2-approaching expectations, 1- does not meet expectations.

Assessing Cognitive Skills in Projects

Students in Gradient Learning develop Cognitive Skills by working on Real-World Projects. Teachers give feedback to students as they work through the Checkpoints of a Project and assess each Project based on the 4–5 Cognitive Skills (on average) the student has demonstrated in that Project.

The Cognitive Skills Rubric specifies grade-level and interdisciplinary expectations for each Cognitive Skill.

Students progress through the year and through the grade levels along a continuum, demonstrating competency in a Cognitive Skill as appropriate for their level of development, with the goal of becoming college- and career ready. Each Cognitive Skill is assessed multiple times during the year in different subjects so that students, teachers, and families can track growth. 

Aligned to the emphasis on growth mindset, no grades are finalized in Gradient Learning until the end of the academic year. This allows for students to demonstrate growth over a longer period of time without being held accountable at arbitrary points during the school year, such as a quarter or semester.

Assessing Content Knowledge

Teachers and mentors guide students in learning content through Content Playlists with a variety of available resources (primary sources, videos, text, etc.) as well as preparing for Content Assessments to ensure that they are practicing good study habits.

The Content Assessments in Gradient Learning are designed to promote a growth mindset. There is no limit to the number of times a student can take an assessment because we  believe that a large percentage of learning happens in letting students persist through struggles and challenges. However, if a student fails an assessment more than a few times, his or her teacher or mentor will intervene to help them determine how to move forward.

The 10-question Content Assessments are graded in the Platform, and results are immediately accessible by teachers, students, and parents. Students must score at least an 8 out of 10 on the Content Assessment to show mastery.

Teachers can use real-time test results to easily identify which students need help on specific Focus Areas and provide additional scaffolding on those topics.