This session will provide participants with a foundational understanding of standards-based IEPs. The content will include an overview of how the Iowa Core Standards and other high leverage practices and processes can be used for the determination of a student’s present level of performance, the development of IEP goals, progress monitoring strategies and the development of specially designed instruction.
Many schools adopt standards-based grading, yet classroom practice, student experiences, and outcomes remain largely unchanged. This session explores why flipping to SBG isn’t enough and how mindset, alongside mechanics, determines impact. Participants will unpack common implementation traps, examine beliefs that keep traditional grading patterns alive, and explore how the language we use with students can either reinforce or disrupt those patterns. Together, we’ll identify practical shifts that move SBG from compliance to coherence and leave with clarity about what actually changes when SBG takes hold.
Grading reform can be confusing for families, leading to misconceptions and resistance. In this session, we’ll explore practical strategies to engage parents as partners in the process. Learn how to communicate grading changes in clear, meaningful ways, address common concerns, and build trust through transparency. Whether transitioning to standards-based grading or shifting traditional practices, this session will provide tools to help parents understand what grades truly measure—and why it matters for student success. Walk away with actionable steps to foster productive conversations and create a shared vision for grading that supports learning for all students.
Denver CSD has been on a multiple-year journey of improving assessment and grading practices. Through building capacity in a grading leadership team, the district has developed a "rolodex" of support for its teachers. In this session, we will discuss some of our capacity-building strategies and how teachers have been empowered to support their colleagues throughout the past few years.
Whether your school/district is getting started with or rebooting standards-based grading, there are some key considerations. Using a "4 Ps" framework, session participants will understand their next steps to meaningfully implement grading reform at the building or district level.
Successful grading reform starts with recruiting the right educators and equipping them with practical, easy-to-implement strategies. This session will focus on onboarding new staff with simple yet effective instructional, assessment, and grading moves that align with a standards-based mindset. Learn how to identify and support teachers who embrace equitable grading, provide streamlined professional development, and foster collaboration to ensure consistency. Walk away with actionable tools to help new staff feel confident implementing grading reform from day one—without feeling overwhelmed.
Informal conversations about student information systems and grading. Representatives and educators with a variety of experiences will be present to guide conversations.
