Adapting School Grading to Outstanda’s

Mastery-Based System: A Guide for Educators

Outstanda’s mastery-based learning model focuses on pass/fail evaluations, prioritizing mastery over traditional letter grades. However, many schools and parents still prefer to see familiar grading structures. To address this, Outstanda offers a flexible approach for integrating grading into its framework, ensuring students can demonstrate mastery while meeting traditional expectations.

Below, we provide a comprehensive guide to grading and assessing projects within Outstanda’s system, combining mastery-based principles with clear, structured evaluation methods.


Suggested Grading Methodology

This grading method incorporates project performance, assessment attempts, and pace to provide a balanced and transparent approach. Educators can adapt this framework to meet their school’s specific needs while maintaining the integrity of Outstanda’s focus on mastery.

1. Project-Based Grading (60% of Total Grade)

Projects are the cornerstone of Outstanda’s learning approach, allowing students to apply knowledge and demonstrate understanding. To fairly incorporate project performance into grades, educators can use a star-rating system tied to letter grades:

  • 5 Stars: A (100% or 60 points)
  • 4 Stars: B (80% or 48 points)
  • 3 Stars: C (60% or 36 points)
  • 2 Stars or Below: Revision required until mastery is achieved.
Considerations:
  • First Attempt vs. Revised Submission: Educators can choose to grade only the first attempt to encourage thorough effort upfront or allow revisions for improved grades. A first-attempt focus fosters initial high-quality submissions, while revisions support iterative learning.
  • Group Work: Rotate group members and assign different students as lead presenters for each project to develop leadership skills and ensure equitable contributions.

2. Assessment Attempts (30% of Total Grade)

Assessments in Outstanda are pass/fail, designed to verify mastery. If grading assessments, consider using the number of attempts as a metric:

  • 1 Attempt: A (100% or 30 points)
  • 2 Attempts: B (85% or 25 points)
  • 3 Attempts: C (70% or 20 points)
  • 4+ Attempts: D or F, per school policy.
Rationale:

Tracking assessment attempts motivates students to prepare thoroughly and reinforces accountability, aligning with mastery-based learning principles.


3. Pace (10% of Total Grade)

Outstanda encourages self-paced learning but recognizes the importance of meeting deadlines in structured environments. Including pace in grading rewards timeliness while offering flexibility:

  • On-Time Completion: 100% (10 points)
  • 1 Week Late: 50% (5 points)
  • 2+ Weeks Late: 0% (0 points)

This component helps students stay on track without penalizing them excessively for minor delays.


Projects Overview for Instructors

Projects are integrated into each lesson to deepen understanding through applied, thoughtful work. Educators can modify projects to suit class needs, resources, or student interests. Outstanda’s projects emphasize critical thinking and creativity, minimizing reliance on technology or AI for completion.

Key Features:
  • Verbal Defense: Students must verbally present and defend their work to ensure comprehensive understanding.
  • Minimum Standards: Projects must achieve a minimum 3-star rating to qualify for assessment. Lower ratings (1 or 2 stars) require revision and resubmission.

Project Assessment Rubric

Use the following rubric to evaluate projects:

Star Rating Criteria
5 Stars Exemplary understanding, creativity, and effort. Thorough, detailed, and professional with unique perspectives.
4 Stars Proficient understanding with minor inaccuracies. Solid creativity and presentation, meeting most requirements.
3 Stars Satisfactory understanding with areas for improvement. Basic creativity and clarity; meets requirements but lacks depth.
2 Stars Needs improvement. Partial understanding, limited creativity, and incomplete work. Disorganized presentation.
1 Star Unsatisfactory. Minimal understanding and effort; project is incomplete or fails to meet basic requirements.

Sample Grade Calculation

Here’s how the suggested grading system could be applied:

Example:

A student completes:

  • A 4-Star Project (48 points),
  • An Assessment in 2 Attempts (25 points),
  • Submits On-Time (10 points).

Total Grade:
48 (Project) + 25 (Assessment) + 10 (Pace) = 83/100 (B)


Flexible Grading for Diverse Needs

This grading structure is a recommendation and can be tailored to your school’s requirements. Whether adjusting weight distributions, modifying rubrics, or adapting assessment policies, the focus should remain on mastery and student growth.

Outstanda’s system allows educators to meet traditional grading expectations while fostering critical thinking, creativity, and mastery. This balance supports students in their educational journey while ensuring fair and transparent assessments.