Do I have to lower my standards?
No. Proficiency-based grading asks students to meet explicit standards for each objective. The shift is from averaging mistakes into a single score to reporting whether evidence meets the bar you published.
Standards stay high when levels are specific
Weak level descriptions (“good / okay / poor”) invite grade inflation. Strong descriptions name observable evidence:
- What a Satisfactory submission includes
- What distinguishes Exemplary from Satisfactory
- What is missing when work is Not Yet
Students rise to clarity—they cannot meet a standard they cannot see.
“Not Yet” is not a free pass
Not Yet means the current submission does not yet demonstrate the objective. Combined with due dates, attempt limits, and benchmark thresholds, it supports rigor and revision.
Letter grades still map to benchmarks
You can report A–F when required. Benchmarks translate demonstrated proficiency into final grades—transparently, if you publish the mapping.