Standards Based Grading
in High School Science

Summaries of previous
research

Summary of research that argues in favor of SBG for various reasons.

Munoz, M. & Guskey, T. (2015). Standards-based grading and reporting will improve education. The Phi Delta Kappan, 96(7), 64-68

Focuses on the differences between traditional and SBG methods in English classes, and that SBG is more student centered.

Miller, Jeanetta (2013). A Better Grading System: Standards-Based, Student-Centered Assessment. The English Journal, 103(1), 111-118

Exploration of methodology and application of SBG at elementary, secondary, and post secondary levels. Evidence of increased student engagement and better comprehension of material.

Iamarino, Danielle (2014). The Benefits of Standards-Based Grading: A Critical Evaluation of Modern Grading Practices. Current Issues in Education, 17(2), 1-13

Seven reasons why SBG guides students towards higher achievement than traditional grading systems.

Scriffiny, Patricia (2008). Seven Reasons for Standards-Based Grading. Educational Leadership, October 2008, 70-74

Nice overall summary of findings in previous research about SBG.

Welsh, Megan (2019). Standards-Based Grading. Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, 113-144

Practical applications
and challenges of SBG

Predictive methods to use SBG in first year college courses to predict at-risk students. By implementing SBG, both students and instructors are better informed of who may be at risk.

Marbouti, F., Deifus-Dux, H., Madhavan, K. (2016). Models for early prediction of at-risk students in a course using standards-based grading. Computers and Education, Volume 103, 1-15

Challenges for secondary school leaders for implementation of SBG at their schools.

Townsley, M. (2019). Considering Standards-based Grading: Challenges for Secondary School Leaders. Journal of School Administration Research and Development, 4(1), 33-38

How the implementation of a standards-based grading system impacts the teaching methods, curriculum, differentiation, and formative assessments being used in classrooms. (dissertation)

Corzine, Elizabeth (2016). Standards-Based Grading: Effects on Classroom Instruction. ProQuest 10190457

Teachers' perceptions of different aspects of implementing a standards based grading system. How does it change classroom procedures, atmosphere, expectations, etc. (dissertation)

Knight, Megan (2017). A Phenomenolgy Examining High School Teachers’ Perceptions of the Effects of Standards-based Grading on Planning, Instruction, Assessment, Classroom Environment, and Students’ Characteristics
and Behaviors. ProQuest 10598892

Experimental Studies
of SBG in High School

Comparison of two midwest high schools, one SBG,
one traditional grading. Examined GPA and ACT
scores (quantitative).

Townsley M. & Varga M. (2017). Getting High School Students Ready for College: A Quantitative Study of StandardsBased Grading Practices. Journal of Research in Education, 28(1), 92-112

Compare SBG vs. traditional in high school Economics course. Measured attempts to achieve mastery and school culture (mixed, dissertation).

Marshall, Linda D. (2016). Effects of Mastery Learning Grading Policies on Student Achievement. ProQuest Number: 10150157

Practioner study of implementing SBG in a high school Biology course. Focused on the effects of SBG on achievement for minority and disadvantaged students. (mixed, dissertation)

Macdonald, Michelina R.C. (2016). The Role of Differentiation and Standards Based Grading in the Science Learning of Struggling and Advanced Learners in a Detracked High School Honors Biology Classroom. ProQuest Number: 10299014

How does SBG effect standardized test scores, with extra focus on minority and disadvantaged students. 11 high schools were studied using SBG for one cohort and traditional for the other cohort in Algebra II. Then 11th grade state math test scores were measured, and stats applied. (correlational)

Pollio, M. & Hochbein, C. (2015). The Association Between Standards-Based Grading and Standardized Test Scores as an Element of a High School Reform Model. Teachers College Record Volume 117, 110302, 1-28

Effects of SBG on student mindsets in high school mathematics. (qualitative, dissertation)

Hayden, John (2019). The Impact of Mastery Grading on Student Mindset in High School Mathematics. ProQuest Number: 13900057

Experimental Studies
of SBG in Higher
Education

Practioner study of implementing SBG in college intro physics course. Instructor taught same course using traditional grading one year and then SBG the next. Student and teacher experiences were surveyed. (qualitative)

Beatty, Ian D. (2013). Standards-based grading in introductory university physics. Journal of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, 13(2), 1 – 22

Implementing SBG in college educational technology course. Measured student and teacher experiences. (qualitative)

Buckmiller, T., Peters, R., & Kruse, J. (2017). Questioning Points and Percentages: Standards-Based Grading (SBG) in Higher Education. College Teaching, 65(4), 151–157