Assessment
MMCPS Grading: "The Swimmer Analogy"
Students at Murdoch Middle School are assessed in their achievement of the pre-determined benchmarks and standards using the following “grades”: Novice, Apprentice, Proficient or Distinguished. The underlying belief is that all students, with the right amount of effort, may achieve proficiency.
To explain this system of grading, it helps to consider the following “swimmer analogy” as each level is described. While this analogy is not perfect, we do believe that it will assist you in understanding what each of the grades mean.
Novice: A student who receives a Novice grade is much like a beginning swimmer, just getting lessons and spending a lot of time practicing their form. In no way is a Novice swimmer a failure, rather they are demonstrating their knowledge as a beginner. The only time there is “failure” is when there is little or no attempt.
Apprentice: A student who receives an Apprentice grade is like a swimmer who has mastered the basics and knows what to do in order to stay afloat and swim safely in deeper waters. While not an expert, an apprentice shows signs of proficiency.
Proficient: A student who receives a Proficient grade is a swimmer worthy of life-guarding. They know what needs to be done and can explain their understanding to others. They are practiced and in shape, ready for further challenge.
Distinguished: A student who receives a Distinguished grade is a swimmer bordering on Olympic competition, a swimmer that creatively and, seemingly effortlessly, achieves a proficient and is then able to go the extra mile. Distinguished grades are extremely difficult to achieve.
Teachers at Murdoch Middle School operate on the belief that student achievement and ability is based on the effort of the student, not a pre-determined ability level. If students are willing to make the effort and have the appropriate parental and teacher support, that student will learn. This said, it should also be noted that not all students come to the table with the same set of skills and experiences. Murdoch Middle School teachers recognize this and work to differentiate and modify curriculum appropriately to meet the needs of all students.
Students at Murdoch Middle School are assessed in their achievement of the pre-determined benchmarks and standards using the following “grades”: Novice, Apprentice, Proficient or Distinguished. The underlying belief is that all students, with the right amount of effort, may achieve proficiency.
To explain this system of grading, it helps to consider the following “swimmer analogy” as each level is described. While this analogy is not perfect, we do believe that it will assist you in understanding what each of the grades mean.
Novice: A student who receives a Novice grade is much like a beginning swimmer, just getting lessons and spending a lot of time practicing their form. In no way is a Novice swimmer a failure, rather they are demonstrating their knowledge as a beginner. The only time there is “failure” is when there is little or no attempt.
Apprentice: A student who receives an Apprentice grade is like a swimmer who has mastered the basics and knows what to do in order to stay afloat and swim safely in deeper waters. While not an expert, an apprentice shows signs of proficiency.
Proficient: A student who receives a Proficient grade is a swimmer worthy of life-guarding. They know what needs to be done and can explain their understanding to others. They are practiced and in shape, ready for further challenge.
Distinguished: A student who receives a Distinguished grade is a swimmer bordering on Olympic competition, a swimmer that creatively and, seemingly effortlessly, achieves a proficient and is then able to go the extra mile. Distinguished grades are extremely difficult to achieve.
Teachers at Murdoch Middle School operate on the belief that student achievement and ability is based on the effort of the student, not a pre-determined ability level. If students are willing to make the effort and have the appropriate parental and teacher support, that student will learn. This said, it should also be noted that not all students come to the table with the same set of skills and experiences. Murdoch Middle School teachers recognize this and work to differentiate and modify curriculum appropriately to meet the needs of all students.
Understanding Comprehension and Application
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