Standards Based Curse

2026-02-22 7:30 PM

#chemistry #standards based grading #sbg

I've been using standards based grading for many, many years. Each year, there are units that make me question whether or not its the right thing to do and it's generally when we write names and formulas for compounds. In theory, it's not a difficult skill - follow the chart to apply the right rule to the right chemical. In reality, there is so much background knowledge a student needs to have to be successful, it ends up being one of the hardest things we do during the year.

This chart tells a clear story of the difficulty:

The first two points are for types of compounds...pretty much identifying ionic vs covalent substances using the periodic table and then describing macroscopic properties. The next to points are writing formulas for compounds (ionic and binary covalent) and then writing names for compounds. Ionic compounds really just wreck people.

It's frustrating because each of these standards has a huge impact on the overall grade. Students can test as often as they like with evidence of practice and revisions until they can do the skill. I'm pretty lenient on this unit...I let transition metal charges slide in names and they can use a reference chart of polyatomic ions, but there is still a huge struggle for many. I can point to exactly why each person either has or has not demonstrated proficiency, but it's still a tough unit to be resilient through.

I'm thinking through how I can ease the burden in future years. Eventually, we move on into new material so students get a break, but I'm finding it harder and harder to help them persevere through really hard topics when many will not think about chemistry again this year.