What is proficiency-based grading?
Proficiency-based grading (sometimes called standards-based grading) describes student work using discrete levels of proficiency tied to course objectives—not points averaged into a single percentage.
In TeachFront, that usually means:
- You define objectives (what students should demonstrate).
- You choose proficiency levels (for example, Exemplary, Satisfactory, Not Yet) and group them into one or two schemes per course.
- Each assignment is assessed against those objectives with a proficiency level instead of a point total.
- Students can often revise and resubmit so the grade reflects their best demonstrated work, not a one-shot attempt.
How it differs from traditional grading
Traditional grading treats every task as currency: points earned, points lost, and an average that hides which ideas a student actually understands.
Proficiency-based grading keeps the conversation on evidence:
- Does this submission show the objective was met?
- If not yet, what would improvement look like?
- When work improves, does the portfolio reflect the higher level?
That shift supports a growth mindset: struggle is part of learning, and additional attempts are opportunities—not penalties.
Where to go next
- Why move beyond points? — motivation and equity framing.
- Choosing proficiency levels and schemes — build scales that match your objectives.
- Converting proficiency to letter grades — portfolio thresholds when your institution still requires A–F.
This tutorial section still uses the /mastery-grading/ URL for historical routes. Customer-facing Desk articles should use proficiency-based grading wording and avoid legacy "mastery" labels in titles and body copy.