How Mastery Based Grading Works at ArTES
Mastery Based Grading at ArTES
ArTES uses “Mastery-Based Grading”. This means that students at ArTES are evaluated based upon their progress towards proficiency in Learning Targets. Teachers use content-area standards to set Learning Targets for students. Students have multiple opportunities throughout the semester to improve their proficiency levels and to demonstrate mastery.
Due to the nature of this grading approach, students are expected to turn in all assignments on time and complete revisions based on feedback. Since grades are based on progress and not on percentages or points earned, there is no opportunity to earn extra points or “extra credit” at ArTES.
The following applies in all classes and content areas:
Final Grades in a class are calculated based on Learning Targets
Students must be proficient in a certain number of Learning Targets to earn a class grade of A, B, C, D, F. Please see the teacher’s syllabus for additional information.
Proficiency in a Learning Target is a matter of recency and frequency. Students need to show growth and consistency. This concept is elemental to Mastery Learning and Grading and we apply it school-wide.
When teachers determine a student’s level of proficiency in a Learning Target, they look at the scores the student received in individual assignment within that Learning Target. Teachers consider both recency (how long ago did the student receive this score, early in the semester or closer to the end?) and frequency (how often did a student receive a certain score, which scores did he or she achieve more often than others?). Taking these factors into consideration allows teachers to make sure that students have room to grow. There is no “formula” to calculate how individual assignment scores add up to the level of proficiency in a Learning Target, but taking recency and frequency into account ensures
that students are able to show growth over time and consistent learning.
The words No Evidence, Not Yet Proficient, Proficient are used to describe achievement in a Learning Target.
This system makes it easy for students and parents to see which Learning Target a student needs to grow in and should be focusing their revisions on. Students should strive towards a score of “Proficient” in all Learning Targets.
A 4-point rubric is used to score individual assignments.
The rubric score 4 is assigned only if a student has exceeded grade level expectations in the particular assignment.
ArTES has a school-wide, clear and consistent revision policy.
Student revisions are highly encouraged to show new learning and improved proficiency. The following applies school-wide:
Students have until the day of the final assessment for the unit to resubmit any formative Assignments.
Students have two weeks after the final assessment to resubmit the final assessment.
The final grade in a class will be a Fail if a student does not produce any work in a Learning Target.
“No Evidence” in a Learning Target means the student did not turn in any work to show their learning in this area. This will result in a failing grade for the semester.
Students will have at least 3 opportunities to show their growth in a Learning Target.
To ensure that students have adequate opportunities to show proficiency, there will be at least three graded assignments per Learning Target.
ArTES has clear systems in place to support learning, self-assessment and clear communication with families:
- Details about Learning Targets, course content, grading, etc can be found in the syllabus that every teacher will provide for their class.
- Teachers use rubrics, checklists and/or criteria charts aligned with Learning Targets as much as possible to support student self-assessment and learning.
- Schoology grade books allow students and families to see individual assignment scores ( a score of 1,2,3 or 4), proficiency in Learning Targets (No Evidence / Not Yet Proficient / Proficient) and the current overall course grade (as a letter grade A/B/C/D/F).
How your Grades Are Calculated in Three Steps
How your Grades Are Calculated in Three Steps
The Los Angeles Unified School District and ArTES are committed to providing a working and learning environment free from discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying. For more information regarding nondiscrimination, 
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