Notes from New Westminster BCAMT conference, October 2025 Using the proficiency scale in grades 10 – 12 math classes
Presentation slide set: PRF assessment NW 2025
Spreadsheet template for recording grades
Google doc template for sharing grades with students
Research referenced in the slide set
| Author | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Guskey, T | The Impact of Standards-Based Learning: Tracking High School Students’ Transition to the University. Tracks 13 students transitioning from standards based grading in high school to university. | Guskey, high school transition |
| Lee, E | Faculty perception before, during and after implementation of standards-based grading. 85 faculty from dept of engineering, various universities transitioning to standards based grading. | Faculty perpectives, tertiary education |
| U’Chong, Muirhead | How High School Teachers in Victoria, BC Are Implementing British Columbia’s New Assessment Framework in Their Classrooms | High School teachers |
| Pollio, M | The Association Between Standards-Based Grading and Standardized Test Scores as an Element of a High School Reform Model, 2418 grade 11 students | Grade 11 students |
Proficiency ‘scale’ model
‘Proficient’ is the goal, ‘sophisticated’ happens over time. This model proposes that if ‘proficiency’ is accomplished in any grade level then continued learning in future grades develops previous knowledge. Eg, A grade 9 student who has learned to solve multistep linear equations (grade 9 proficient) will by the end of grade 11 be able to make connections between those equations, their graphical representation and their useful application to solving a variety of problems. (grade 9 extending).
Example of post test follow up. Grade 10 FMP Right-Angled Triangle test, formative learning
Post test, each student who has not yet demonstrated proficiency in any of the areas tested is encouraged to continue learning as directed by their grades in their test. I provide them with learning & assessment resources that align with the learning outcomes assessed in the test. Here is an example of resources given to grade 10 students following their test on right-angled triangles: Grade 10 Trigonometry Follow Up