It might not be easy, but Matt Jensen believes it’s worth it.

Jensen, the principal at Bigfork Elementary and Middle School, is proposing a change in the grading procedure at the middle school. He wants the district to adopt standards-based grading for grades six through eight.

In effect, it would remove traditional letter grades.

Bigfork school trustees heard a first reading of proposal on Aug. 13, with a second reading slated for Sept. 18. The third and final reading is scheduled for Oct. 23.

Seven people spoke against the proposal at last week’s board meeting. The board requested more information on what a report card would look like with standards-based grading. Board members also want information on how students will make the transition from middle to high school, where letter grades will still be used. The elementary is using standards-based grading “in part,” Jensen said.

He proposed a gradual transition to standards-based grading at the middle school, which will result in students being graded as novice (N), nearing proficient (NP), proficient (P) or advanced proficient (AP). Jensen envisions a pilot program in which standards-based grading is used for reading and math in the third trimester of the upcoming school year. Full implementation would take several years.

Such grading is not a new idea and is part of a national movement, Jensen said.  Standards-based grading involves more detailed reporting on where a student is at in a number of subgroups within each subject. These include testing, quizzes, homework, completed assignments, behavior, attendance, etc.

Wendy Miller was one of the seven who spoke against the proposal Aug. 13. Miller has children entering sixth and fourth grades and kindergarten. She and her husband Steve moved to Bigfork from Charlotte, N.C., in 2010. After three years of having her students in a standards-based grading program at Bigfork Elementary, Miller said she has seen enough.  

“It may work and be good for students who are failing or are struggling, but it doesn’t help your average or above-average student because it takes away their ability to shine and motivation to do excellent work,” she said.

Miller’s son, Micah, is entering sixth grade. Micah said only about 5 to 10 percent of his papers last year in elementary school had a letter grade. Only math papers typically would have a letter grade, such as P (for proficient), he said.

Other times he would receive only a note from his teacher that said, “Nice effort,” “Good job,” or “Love your expression,” Wendy Miller said. “It’s subjective and doesn’t tell me where he stands,” she said.

Miller said that one could get a A, B or C under a traditional grading system, but all of those grades could be a P under standards-based grading.

Jensen said middle school staff have been working on curriculum realignment for several years. Last year the bulk of the staff supported the change to standards-based testing, he said, adding that he doesn’t know one middle school teacher opposed to it.

Miller said all of the parents she’s talked to are opposed to the change except one. And two teachers told her that implementation of standards-based grading is going to be a “nightmare,” she added.

There are a lot of misconceptions about standards-based grading, Jensen said. Traditional letter grading is based on averages, which Jensen wants to get away from. “I want to substitute a numerical grade (i.e. 85 percent) for a much more detailed report.

“It’s a drastic increase in accountability for teachers and students,” he said. “With standards-based grading, there are specific skills being measured and reported to parents instead of one given teacher’s opinion about the student. It’s accountability that I want to bring into our middle school.”

Bigfork Schools Superintendent Cynthia Clary said she is undecided on the proposed grading change.

Caleb Soptelean can be reached at reporter@bigforkeagle.com.