In standards-based learning, instructors typically differentiate between formative/practice assignments (used to monitor student progress) and summative assignments (used to evaluate student mastery). Depending on the grading scale settings, formative/practice assignments may not be included in calculation of student grades.
To mark an assignment as formative/practice:
- Go to Instructor Main > Gradebook > Assignments.
- Create or edit an assignment.
- In the Track Standards-based Grade(s) section, check the box labeled Formative/Practice.
- Save
Instructors can also make assignments formative by default:
- Go to Instructor Main > Gradebook > Assignments.
- Create or edit an assignment.
- Set Defaults
- Check the box labeled New assignments should be formative/practice by default.
- Save Defaults
From then on, the Formative/Practice checkbox will automatically be checked. Instructors can uncheck it for summative assignments.
In the gradebook, formative assessments are marked by a lighter background. If the assessment is used in calculation of grades, the score will be black. If the assessment is not included in the calculation of grades, the score will be gray.
Although the decision of whether or not to calculate formative assessments into the grade is controlled on the grading scale, the instructor has the option to temporarily view what student grades would look like if that option were changed.
To temporarily turn calculation of formative/practice assessments off or on:
- Go to Instructor Main > Gradebook > Standards-based Scores.
- Select a class/subject from the dropdown menu.
- In the upper-left corner of the gradebook, toggle the box labeled Calc with Formatives.
This change only affects the instructor’s view during this session. Parents and students will not see a change in grades, and the option will revert to the grading scale default when the instructor navigates away.