Teacher FAQ
Your questions about implementing SBG, managing retakes, and grading answered
Introducing SBG to Students
Ready-to-use slide deck for explaining standards-based grading to your class
Retake Process Flowchart
Visual guide for managing the reassessment process with your students. Customize it to fit your classroom needs. Thanks to Julie Twining, ME-SBG pilot teacher, for this resource
Error Log Worksheet
Help students analyze mistakes and understand what they need to remember
Reassessment Ticket
Forms students complete to show they’re ready to be reassessed. Choose the version that works for your classroom or adapt as needed.
Why We Use Standards-Based Grading
Sample ‘why’ statement to explore as you develop your school’s own message about standards-based grading in our PD sessions.
Color Self-Assessment
Help students rate their understanding on each problem using a four-color scale.
Self-Regulation Evaluation
Help students reflect on their strategies for using learning goals, self-motivation, and learning resources.
Peer Study Form
Sample form students can use to work through mistakes with a study partner or peer tutor.
School Leaders FAQ
Your questions about implementing SBG, supporting teachers, and communicating with stakeholders answered
Why We Use Standards-Based Grading
Each school should draft their own “why” statement. Here is a sample
Reassessment Guide for Families
Simple steps to help your child through the reassessment process.
Reassessment Ticket
Your child will complete a form like one of these to show they’re ready to be reassessed on a standard.
Why We Use Standards-Based Grading
Each school should draft their own “why” statement. Here is a sample from some of our participating teachers.
Color Self-Assessment
Rate your understanding on each problem: Red, Yellow, Green, or Blue
Self-Regulation Evaluation
Rate yourself on learning goals, motivation, and using resources.
Peer Study Form
Work through problems you missed with a study partner or tutor
Reassessment Ticket
Ready to improve your score on a standard? Fill out a ticket like one of the examples below to show your teacher you’ve done the extra work and are ready to be reassessed.
Download key studies and findings, including the PARLO paper and other foundational research.
Research
An overview of results from the PARLO project, demonstrating the power of standards-based grading.
August 20, 2025
Research
Read the study from the project that started our journey into Standards-Based grading: our early collaboration with Dylan Wiliam to implement Standards-Based grading in middle school math and science.
August 20, 2025
Research
Read promising results form our study of SBG impact in a college statistics course.
August 20, 2025
Research
Read research that shows how warm demander pedagogy—holding students to high standards while firmly believing in their capability—can turn feedback into an engine for positive growth.
August 20, 2025
Research
An overview of results from the PARLO project, demonstrating the power of standards-based grading.
Tracey Wilson
August 20, 2025
Research
An overview of results from the PARLO project, demonstrating the power of standards-based grading.
Tracey Wilson
August 20, 2025
Consultant
Dr. Jessica Shupik’s professional journey has been defined by a passion for designing transformative learning experiences and driving positive organizational change. Through her doctoral research, Dr. Shupik has cultivated expertise that bridges research and real-world application. Throughout her roles in public education, corporate training, and nonprofit consulting, she has consistently developed and implemented initiatives that translate complex goals into measurable improvements in performance and engagement. As a learning professional, Dr. Shupik has crafted solutions tailored to diverse learners, from piloting programs that boosted test scores to leading national conference presentations on tech-infused education. She is recognized for her engaging public speaking, collaborative approach, and the ability to bridge communication across departments to achieve lasting, meaningful results.
Consultant
Dr. Teomara (Teya) Rutherford is an Associate Professor of Learning Sciences in the University of Delaware School of Education. She received her PhD in Learning, Cognition, and Development from University of California, Irvine, her JD from Boston University School of Law, and her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Computers in the Classroom from Florida International University. Dr. Rutherford’s research focuses on learning and motivation, especially in STEM and in digital contexts. Currently, she works on a number of federally-funded projects on K-12 mathematics and cybersecurity education and on university computer science. In each, she uses design tools, such as logic models and theories of change, to connect researchers, developers, and practitioners in creating, implementing, and evaluating learning-focused tools and products.
Student Success Programs Supervisor for PPS
Chris Heckman is the Student Success Programs Supervisor for Portland Public Schools in Oregon, where he supports work in mathematics standards and assessments. He’s taught 6-12 grades math for twelve years in the Portland area and has loved his experiences in math education working with youth. Apart from work, Chris stays active through exercise, outdoor adventures, and the occasional home repair project, expresses creativity through cooking and music (guitar and piano), and finds inspiration through reading and mindfulness / meditation. Currently, his two favorite teachers are his seven-year-old child – who offers daily lessons in wonder (and patience) – and his incredible wife, who he’s still working hard to impress.
Standards-Based Grading Specialist
Vivian Loewenstern-Jaffe has the background and experience that make her ideally qualified to play a supportive role in the Mathematics Empowerment through Standards-Based Grading Program. After a distinguished career as a mathematics teacher, she was a central office administrator in two school districts where she had the responsibility of implementing standards-based grading district-wide. In addition, she was a lead in the development of the mathematics curriculum and collaborated with others on the mathematics assessment system for a USAID funded project to develop STEM high schools in Egypt. In this role, not only did she create country-wide math assessments, but she performed numerous country-wide presentations on standards-based grading for teachers, administrators, and supervisors.
Logistics Coordinator and Administrative Assistant
Kylie Doyle is a Logistics Coordinator and Administrative Assistant on ME-SBG. She primarily works with travel, event coordination, and a multitude of other administrative duties to support the project. She has a background in visual arts, which she uses while managing the website and creating social media content along with other materials for ME-SBG. After work, Kylie enjoys writing, making art, and maintaining a growing collection of indoor and outdoor plants.
Lead Software Engineer
Tim Flood is the Lead Software Engineer for ME-SBG. In this role, he architects and develops the web-based platform that enables teachers to implement standards-based grading with their students, designing systems that handle LMS integration, standards management, and student performance tracking. A former project manager and scrum master turned software engineer, Tim collaborates with the ME-SBG team using Agile practices to deliver teacher-friendly tools. Outside of work, Tim’s interests range across weightlifting, long-distance swimming, reading, and drawing.