WPS Newsletter
January 2023
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Learning about Proficiency Scales
At Wilton School teachers have been working hard learning how to communicate student learning using proficiency scales. These scales allow students to reflect on their own learning progression and better understand what they already know and what they may still need to learn.
The elementary teachers have been implementing proficiency scales in Math over the past year and have included reading this current school year. Mrs. Knutson, 3rd grade teacher shared, “Using scales has helped us better determine math groups so that student needs are being met and has also helped teachers to better analyze where gaps are in student learning.” Based on these successes the middle and high school teachers have begun work within their Professional Learning Communities (PLC) and introduced proficiency scales to their students during Quarter 2.
What are Proficiency Scales?
A proficiency scale is used by teachers and students in grades K-12 to determine the student's current level of progress and achievement toward meeting the expectations of a learning standard.
Proficiency scales use a 4-point system where a 3 indicates proficiency - meeting the standard's expectation(s). In other words, a student who receives a score of 3 has MET the grade-level standard. A general description of the 4-point scoring system for proficiency scales is below:
4- A 4 is reserved for occasions where the student has mastered the standard's expectations AND gone above and beyond its expectations and applied skills in an authentic and advanced manner.
3- A 3 means the student has MET the grade-level standard.
2- A 2 means the student has gained an understanding of the vocabulary and simpler processes of the standard. Students can do the prerequisites necessary for the standard (3.0), but not able to do what the standard requires.
1- A 1 means the student can achieve partial success with the vocabulary and simpler processes of the standard WITH HELP (from a classmate, assistant, or teacher).
The proficiency scale below communicates each level of proficiency through a life skill all of us have done at some point in our lives or another - riding a bike on our own.
Why does Wilton use the 4-point proficiency scale to help students, teachers, and parents?
- The 4-point proficiency scale increases clarity and equips students, teachers, and parents with a way to talk about what the student currently can do and what the student is still working on learning and becoming proficient at.
- Helps students set goals that identify the skills they do not know how to do and guides their focus on learning, how to ask for help, and practice in school and at home.
- Celebrate their growth, progress, and proficiency for each standard.