Secondary Grading Practices

NTPS secondary schools use grading practices that:

Grading Scale

We use a four-point grading scale because:

It is easier to describe five gradients (0-4) than to describe 100 gradients of learning.
Rubrics (scoring tools that show the performance expectations for an assignment or piece of work) accompany assignments, projects, and assessments.
Rubrics provide students with clarity on learning expectations. In other words, there’s more clarity for students around what they need to be able to know and do.
Standards-referenced grading minimizes implicit bias (grades are based on demonstrating learning rather than “good student” behavior).

4 Mastery	Student has met the learning target, while demonstrating one or more of the bullet points on the full anchor rubric.
3 Proficient	Student has met the learning target.
2 Approaching Proficient	Student is approaching achievement of the learning target.
1 Limited Progress	Student's performance falls well below proficiency for this target.
0 No Evidence of Progress	Student has not provided evidence of progress toward meeting the learning target.