School Grading Talking Points

 Utah Legislature requires that Utah public schools are assigned Grades on a yearly basis.

• From 2011-2016 School Grades were assigned through a Normative process. This limited the % of schools earning an A or B and cut scores for school grades could adjust in any given year.
• UTAH SENATE BILL 220 required that "The board shall engage in a criteria setting process to establish performance thresholds for overall ratings."
• From 2018 and on School Grades will be assigned through a Criterion process. Performance thresholds were established through a standard setting process. Cut scores for school grades are fixed and do not shift based on schools’ performance. Schools have the necessary information to work towards a higher grade.
• Labels for the performance levels are defined in statute:
  • ​​​​​​“A” represents an exemplary school
  • “B” represents a commendable school
  • “C” represents a typical school
  • “D” represents a developing school
  • “F” represents a critical needs school
    For more on the above information see: Utah School Accountability Standard Setting ANN-MICHELLE NEAL, ED.S ACCOUNTABILITY SPECIALIST UTAH STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
• Elementary & Middle Schools will be graded on Proficiency, Growth, Growth of the Lowest 25%, and English Learner Progress
• High Schools will be graded on Proficiency, Growth, Growth of the Lowest 25%, Graduation Rates, ACT Scores, and # of students taking advanced coursework