A Standards-Referenced Report (SRR) is slightly different than a Standards-Based Report. Standards-Referenced Reports combine aspects of a Standards-Based system with traditional grades to create a complete look at how your student is progressing toward curricular standards in each class. A Standards-Referenced Grade Report is now used by all Waukee CSD 8th and 9th-grade teachers. Once student begin 10th grade, assessments are done solely on a points-based system.

Why is Waukee using Standards-Reference Reporting at the 8/9 Level?

Giving only a final letter grade doesn’t adequately explain how a student has excelled or where they need to improve. 

The benefits of SRR include:

  • Consistency in reporting processes amongst all 8/9 classrooms.  
  • All teachers of the same course will report on the same content.
  • Guarantees the alignment of grades to district and state standards.
  • Clarity of learning expectations and proficiency levels for each course.

SRR is part of the High-Reliability Schools (HRS) framework. HRS is a research-based framework that provides structure and measurements of success for school improvement that allows every student to achieve their highest potential.  

How is an Overall Grade Calculated?

  • Each course has designated progress report statements (PRS). 
  • Each PRS will be given a proficiency level (EE, SC+, SC, DV+, DV, BG+, BG, BG-) based on student performance. Teachers use a proficiency scale to determine a proficiency level. 
  • All PRS for a course are averaged together to produce the overall letter grade through a conversion scale. 

This video gives a detailed example through Parent Portal view of PowerSchool

Please note: Use a website browser to access scores, not the PowerSchool app.

Assignments to Standards to Grade Color Coded

Score Code Converts to % Explanation
EE (Exceeding) 100 Going above and beyond the expectations listed at the SC level.
SC+ 97 In addition to SC performance, in-depth inferences and applications with partial success.
SC (Secure) 95 The learning goal that clearly expresses what mastery looks like in terms of what learners must know or be able to do at grade-level.  The student exhibits no major errors or omissions.
DV+ 85 No major errors or omissions regarding DV content and partial success at SC content.
DV (Developing) 75 Simpler content that is necessary for students to master the learning target (SC), including key vocabulary, basic processes, basic details, and the cognitive skills or knowledge. The student exhibits major errors or omissions regarding the Sc content.
BG+ 65 Partial knowledge of the DV content, but major errors or omissions regarding the SC content.
BG (Beginning) 60 With help, the student exhibits partial knowledge of the DV content, but major errors or omissions regarding the SC content.
BG- 55 With help, partial understanding of DV content, but no understanding of SC content.
NE (No Evidence. Only used at the end of a term) 50 Used at the end of a grading period for an overall Progress Report Statement if no evidence was submitted.
ID (Insufficient Data) Used for final grade only when work is missing Used to replace the overall grade if student evidence is missing.  ID is removed once all evidence is submitted.

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The proficiency scale below is marked to determine what the student has demonstrated. The current level of understanding is marked as DV+. The student has demonstrated understanding of all Developing skills and some of the Secure skills.

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How Can Students Get an A+

Overall grades are determined by the scale below. Students who work consistently at the EE and SC+ levels of proficiency will calculate to an A+ for the overall grade. This also produces 4.33 grade points on a 4.0 scale. Students who receive an A will gain 4.0 grade points on a 4.0 scale (the top of the scale).

As an example:

Progress Report Statement Proficiency Level Calculating %
PRS #1 EE 100
PRS #2 SC+ 97
PRS #3 SC+ 97
PRS #4 SC+ 97
PRS #5 EE 100
Average = 98.2%