Bill Zima

Standards-based education is becoming more and more common across the country. The approach is typically implemented at the school level. When it is, the school leaders support the change and are deeply involved in adjusting practices, processes, and policies to support the work. But what about the individual teacher or small group of like-minded teachers who wish to implement a standards-based grading approach in their classrooms but still adhere to the school or district’s traditional requirements?

We cannot teach our students everything, so we must prepare them for anything. Being prepared requires one to have specific skill sets and mindsets of success. Teachers should intentionally plan to develop agency in all learners. The framework we will share has four requirements: Inquiry starter, clear learning targets, application of knowledge, and reflection. We will share the framework, how it works in a classroom, and how you can get started.