Standards-Based Learning, Grading & Reporting

Standards-Based Learning System (SBLS) is the district’s approach to teaching, assessing, and reporting student learning based on clearly defined learning targets. Grades should communicate learning. The goal is to give students and families clear information about what students know, what they can do, and what they are working toward next. 

How the system works

Each course has academic learning targets that identify the knowledge and skills students are expected to learn. Teachers plan instruction around those targets, gather evidence of student learning, provide feedback, and report progress over time.

Our Approach to
Grading and Reporting

Learning is measured against clear expectations

Instruction and assessment are aligned to BSD Learning Targets. Rubrics describe what student evidence of learning looks like at different levels, helping students understand both what they have demonstrated and what they are working toward next.

Learning develops over time

Students learn through instruction, practice, feedback, and reflection. When appropriate, students have multiple opportunities to demonstrate new learning on course targets.

Grades are based on evidence of learning

Academic scores communicate what a student knows and can do in relation to course learning targets. Students are evaluated against established rubric criteria rather than compared with other students.

Academic learning and Skills for Success provide different information

Academic learning targets communicate what students know and can do within a course. Skills for Success provide separate information about transferable skills that support learning, collaboration, engagement, independence, and adaptability.

Teachers use professional judgment

Student evidence does not always fit perfectly into a single rubric description. Teachers consider the available evidence and use their professional expertise to determine the score that best represents the student's current level of learning.

What's New for 2026-27?

A Common 1–8 Scoring Scale

All secondary courses now use a common 1–8 scoring scale. Rubrics are organized into four achievement categories (8/7, 6/5, 4/3, and 2/1) that describe different levels of student learning.

Learn more about the 1-8 scale and banded rubrics

Skills for Success

Throughout school, students develop skills that help them participate in learning, how to work with others, responding to challenges, and becoming increasingly independent. Skills for Success provide a common way for teachers, students, and families to talk about these skills.

Students will receive feedback on four broad Skills for Success: Interpersonal Skills, Community Skills, Engagement Skills, and Independence & Adaptability Skills. These skills are explicitly taught, practiced, and assessed separately from academic learning.

Learn more about Skills for Success

Learn More About
Standards-Based Grading

How Academic Grades Communicate Learning
Learn how learning targets, instruction and practice, academic evidence, feedback, multiple opportunities, and reporting work together.

Learn how academic grades communicate learning

How Did We Get Here?
Learn more about Beaverton's journey with standards-based teaching and grading practices

Learn more about the history of standards-based learning in BSD