Standards-Based Grading: Assessing Competency in Specific Standards Rather Than Overall Performance

Published on February 2nd, 2026 by the GraideMind team

In standards-based grading, students are assessed on whether they have demonstrated proficiency on specific learning standards. Rather than a single overall grade, students receive information about proficiency on multiple standards. This approach provides clearer information about what students know and can do.

Implementing Standards-Based Grading

• Identify the specific standards students will be assessed on.
• Create rubrics that assess progress toward each standard.
• Use GraideMind to track which standards each student has demonstrated.
• Report proficiency on each standard separately rather than as a single grade.
• Allow reassessment when students demonstrate growth on a standard.
• Use standards proficiency data to guide instruction.