Standards-Based Teaching and Learning in the VASD

Standards-Based Teaching and Learning helps students clearly understand what they’re learning and what success looks like. By receiving specific feedback tied to grade-level standards, students can see their progress, set meaningful goals, and take greater ownership of their learning. This clarity builds confidence and motivation, while families and teachers gain a more accurate picture of each child’s strengths and next steps for growth.

Even with this new system, high school students will still receive a letter grade (A–F) in each class at the end of each grading period as well as a semester and cumulative GPA just as they always have.
The difference is how grades are determined. Instead of calculating a percentage out of 100, grades will be based on a smaller rubric scale that reflects how well students are meeting the standards for the course.

A student’s overall proficiency across the course standards will be combined to determine the final letter grade for the term.

This approach makes grading more accurate, consistent, and clear while keeping the traditional letter grades and GPA that families and colleges are familiar with.

The Wisconsin Guarantee, established under Wisconsin Act 95, ensures college admission for top-performing Wisconsin high school students:

• Students in the top 10% of their class at the end of 11th grade are guaranteed admission to all participating UW System Schools (except UW-Madison).
• Students in the top 5% are also guaranteed admission to UW-Madison.

All Wisconsin school districts, including VASD, must participate in this program. Rankings are based solely on GPA, as required by Act 95.

Due to the fact that students will still receive cumulative GPAs in our updated reporting system, there will be no impact on Act 95. 

Due to the fact that students will still receive cumulative GPAs in our updated reporting system, there will be no impact on scholarship or athletic eligibility. 

This is an aspect of our multi-year Standards-Based Teaching and Learning strategy that is still being developed. Our goal is to ensure that any conversion from rubric scale results to letter grades is accurate, consistent, and transparent. We will continue to engage staff, students, and families in the process and will share updates as decisions are made.