Standards-based Grading Frameworks: Contract & Specifications Grading with Dr. Nancy Baugh

Abstract: Historically, educators have relied on traditional grading systems using points, percentages, and letter grades. This system of grading is highly subjective and has been shown to increase anxiety in students while reducing critical thinking, creativity, and motivation. Standards-based grading is an alternative option that may be more equitable as well as accurate and reliable. The focus moves away from earning points and grades to meeting learning outcomes. This presentation will focus on two types of standards-based grading: contract and specifications grading. Contract grading offers students the opportunity to have input into their learning process through establishing learning goals, setting progress rates, and proactively managing the planning, execution, and evaluation of learning on their own and through interaction with faculty. Specification grading focuses on learning outcomes that are closely aligned with course assessments. For each assignment there are specifications that must be met for the assignment to be satisfactory. There are 2 levels of achievement: met/unmet or pass/fail. Students are given multiple opportunities to demonstrate achievement and have the option to resubmit work that does not initially “pass”. In both these learning methods, students are allowed to have input in activities that best help them to learn. Students take ownership for their own learning which becomes an active rather than a passive process. Studies report students are more motivated to learn and are more able to self-evaluate their own learning process. Bio of Speaker: Dr. Nancy Baugh MSN, PhD has over 30 years of experience teaching nursing at the undergraduate and graduate level. As a nurse educator, a primary interest has been optimizing technologies such as high-fidelity and virtual environments for enhancing clinical reasoning. Exploring innovative learning methods resulted in a project exploring nursing students’ experiences with equity-based assessment that included contract and specifications grading. This project was presented at a nursing education conference at Saint Anselm College in 2023. Her clinical practice as a nurse practitioner includes general surgery, college health and performing physical exams and mental health screenings for the U.S. military. Objectives: 1. Discuss the differences between traditional grading and standards-based grading. 2. Compare and contrast important features of contract and specifications grading. 3. Consider strategies to implement standards-based grading in the classroom.