Standards-Based Grading & Reporting w/ Ken O'Connor

Today, Ken O’Connor joins us on the show as we expound on standards-based grading & reporting. Ken is an independent consultant specializing in issues related to grading & reporting. He helps individuals, schools, and districts improve communication about student achievement. In the session, Ken talks about his passion for standards-based grading for about 27 years, improvements over the years, and why high schools have a long way to go in standard-based grading, unlike other grade levels. He also delves into the importance of moderation in schools, ways to communicate student achievement & a life-changing experience that inspired his career. Ultimately he advises teachers to focus on standard-based grading, unlike assessment-based methods, using levels of proficiency, not points or percentages, and separating behaviors from students' achievement! Tune in for more insights! Timestamps [00:40] A few housekeeping items [01:14] Introducing today’s guest, Ken O’Connor [02:25] What led Ken to his passion for standard-based grading & reporting [05:43] Improvement in standard-based grading over the years [06:25] Why High Schools still have a long way to go in terms of standard-based grading [11:44] How teachers can prepare better in defending whatever communication they send to parents in respect of student’s grades or progress [14:25] Importance of moderation in schools [15:20] Ken’s dream of standard-based grading in schools [17:28] Whether markings or numbers are appropriate at any levels [20:11] Ken’s favorite authors [22:52] Most inspiring moment in Ken’s career [24:26] Advice for teachers having difficulties with standard-based grading [26:33] What got Ken started his career with International Schools [30:06] How to connect with Ken Mentioned Books ● http://www.planteachassess.com/books ● https://books.apple.com/us/author/matthew-g-springer/id452819927 ● https://www.amazon.com/Student-Self-Assessment-Notebooks-Portfolios-Learning/dp/1952812852 Let’s Connect Connect with Ken O’Connor on; ● Twitter: https://twitter.com/kenoc7 ● Website: https://www.oconnorgrading.com/ ● Email: [email protected] Connect with Dr. Dana Specker Watts on; ● Twitter: https://twitter.com/teachwatts Connect with Mike Pierre on; ● Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ayitis_SigmaMan More resources ● Head over to iss.edu/events to see future PD's that ISS is offering for the SY 22-23. ● Join the Diversity Collaborative platform-https://info.iss.edu/sign-up-diversity-collaborative