Specifications Grading - E107

The EduGals Podcast

This week, we are chatting all about specifications (or specs) grading. This is an alternative grading strategy that focuses on mastery of learning by defining specific requirements for what students need to meet.

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**For detailed show notes, please visit our website at https://edugals.com/107**

• Specifications (specs) grading works well with mastery-based learning
• Create specifications for what students need to demonstrate mastery
• Divide up the course into small modules and each module is passed by scoring 80% (mastery) or better
• Final grades are determined by how many of these modules are mastered
• One possible way to do this is to create essential outcomes (absolutely must pass) and general outcomes (grade modifiers)
• Example - IB Chemistry Year 1 grade conversion chart
• Students need multiple opportunities to master the outcomes - create multiple versions (think larger mastery check) for each outcome
• Each week, students can attempt outcomes
• Students appreciate this model - focus on learning, less stress
• Linda Nilson - Specifications Grading Book
• Popular in post-secondary, not sure who else is doing this K-12?
• Benefits - students are not getting left behind, experiencing success, working hard
• General outcomes - can become your focus of the final exam for one extra attempt!
• Tokens - can trade them in for handing in an assignment late, getting another attempt, etc
• Sharing with colleagues - some curiosity and some pushback
• Practice for standardized tests - can happen outside of this and doesn't need to be high stakes
• Webinar on Specs Grading in Chemistry
• Labs are also included - passing each lab will have specific requirements
• Another benefit - giving a test back is way less stressful and no grade grubbing! Tests are seen as learning opportunities
• Can be used in any course area (works well with single point rubrics too)

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