What is alternative grading?
Alternative grading (also called standards-based grading) describes student work using discrete proficiency levels 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 proficiency scales for the course.
- Each assignment is assessed against those objectives with a proficiency level instead of a point total.
- Students can often revise and resubmit so grades reflect 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.
Alternative 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?
- Choosing proficiency levels and scales
- Converting proficiency to letter grades (tutorial page in progress)
The older tutorial route remains for bookmarks (/mastery-grading/ legacy slug). New tutorial pages live under /proficiency-grading/ (route slug retained until /alternative-grading/ cutover). Customer-facing Desk copy should use alternative grading / standards-based wording only.