Standards Based Grading Information
Dear Parents,
We wanted to make you aware that, Butterfield Canyon Elementary is switching to Proficiency Based Learning this school year. This means that we will be sharing your child's progress in a different way than you may have seen in the past. A 4-point scale will be used that correlates with the Utah Core Standards. We will share the learning scales along with evidence that are currently being used in the classrooms monthly. This reporting will provide a more accurate picture of what your child knows and areas in which he/she can grow. Progress Reports will be available in Skyward at the end of 2nd (January) and 4th quarters (May). Please note that the grade level goal is a 3 by the end of the school year. This means a student is proficient in grade level skills. This is a change from what you may have seen in the past when the expectation was a 4.
1 - Below Proficient
I can do the simpler parts of the standard with heip and support.
2 - Approaching
I can do the simpler parts of the standard by myself.
3 - Proficient
I can meet the expectations of the standard by myself. 
4 - Highly Proficient
I can demonstrate a deep understanding of the standard in complex ways.
Our goal is to help each student reach PROFICIENCY by the end of the school year.
How do teachers determine proficiency levels?
Learning scales show the expectations for each level of proficiency. Teachers use regular assessment to determine where student's current understanding falls on the learning scale. Many assignments are used strictly for practice, not as a form of assessment.
If your child has consistently earned 4's in the past, you can expect him/her to earn 3's and maybe some 4's by the end of the year. You may also see some 2's mixed in as well. This will tell you that in that particular area, your child is developing his/her understanding of a concept, but hasn't quite mastered it yet.
How can Proficiency Based Learning help families?
Families will know exactly what students have learned and what they need to learn next to reach proficiency. Ask your child to explain their learning scales with you. They can help you understand what they know and what their next learning steps are. If you still have questions, feel free to reach out to your child's teacher. Still have questions? Reach out to administration.
What is different in Proficiency Based Learning?
The way grades have been reported in the past didn't show a clear, accurate picture of what a child knows.
It was a system of averaging scores together from the beginning to the end of the grading period. That means that student grades were affected as they were being introduced to new concepts and learning them. It didn't show what they ultimately learned. Proficiency Based Learning will help you understand what your child actually knows.