Overview

School-Specific Standards allow institutions to create custom learning objectives that align with their curriculum, educational philosophy, accreditation requirements, and student learning outcomes.

Unlike Common Core Standards, which are predefined, School-Specific Standards are created and maintained entirely by the institution. These standards can be used to evaluate student mastery, support standards-based grading, and measure competencies that are unique to the school's academic programs.

Creating well-defined standards helps teachers assess student progress consistently and provides meaningful insights into student learning.

Before You Begin

Before creating a School-Specific Standard, consider the following:

• What skill, competency, or learning objective will be measured?
• Is the standard aligned with curriculum goals?
• Can student mastery be clearly assessed?
• Does a similar standard already exist?

Clearly defined standards improve consistency across courses and grade levels.

How to Create a School-Specific Standard

Step 1: Navigate to School-Specific Standards

Go to:

Settings → Grades → School-Specific Standards

The School-Specific Standards page displays all custom standards currently configured within the school.

Step 2: Click Add

Select the Add button.

A new standard creation form will open.

Step 3: Enter the Standard Title

In the Title field, enter the name of the standard.

Examples:

• Effective Communication
• Critical Thinking
• Digital Citizenship
• Scientific Investigation
• Problem Solving Skills

Choose a title that clearly describes the learning objective being measured.

Step 4: Select the Subject

Choose the subject area associated with the standard.

Examples:

• Mathematics
• English Language Arts
• Science
• Social Studies
• Technology
• General Competencies

Associating standards with subjects helps educators organize and locate standards more efficiently.

Step 5: Select the Grade Level

Choose the appropriate grade level.

Examples:

• Kindergarten
• Grade 1
• Grade 5
• Grade 8
• Grade 12

This ensures standards are applied to the correct student population.

Step 6: Enter the Standard Description

Provide a detailed description of the learning expectation.

Example:

Students can analyze information, evaluate evidence, and apply reasoning to solve complex problems independently.

Descriptions should clearly explain what mastery looks like.

Step 7: Save

Click Save.

The School-Specific Standard is created and becomes available for standards-based grading and assessment activities.

Example School-Specific Standards

Communication Skills

Title: Effective Communication

Description:

Students communicate ideas clearly through verbal, written, and digital formats.

Digital Literacy

Title: Responsible Technology Use

Description:

Students demonstrate ethical and responsible use of technology resources.

Leadership

Title: Leadership and Collaboration

Description:

Students demonstrate initiative and contribute positively to team activities.

Characteristics of Effective Standards

Strong standards are:

Clear

The learning expectation is easy to understand.

Measurable

Student mastery can be evaluated objectively.

Observable

Teachers can identify evidence of mastery.

Curriculum-Aligned

The standard supports instructional goals.

Student-Focused

The standard describes what students should know or be able to do.

Common Uses for School-Specific Standards

Schools frequently create standards for:

• Communication Skills
• Critical Thinking
• Collaboration
• Leadership
• Digital Literacy
• Character Education
• Career Readiness
• Institutional Learning Outcomes

These standards often complement traditional academic assessments.

Best Practices

Use Consistent Naming Conventions

Create standards that follow a clear and organized structure.

Write Measurable Objectives

Standards should describe observable skills and competencies.

Avoid Overly Broad Standards

Standards should focus on specific learning outcomes.

Align Standards with Curriculum

Ensure standards support instructional goals and assessment practices.

Review Standards Periodically

Update standards as educational priorities evolve.

Common Questions

Can I create unlimited School-Specific Standards?

Schools can create as many custom standards as needed to support their curriculum and assessment framework.

Can custom standards be used with Standards-Based Grading?

Yes. School-Specific Standards are designed to support Standards-Based Grading and student mastery tracking.

Can I create standards for non-academic skills?

Yes. Schools often create standards for leadership, citizenship, communication, collaboration, and other competencies.

Can standards be edited later?

Yes. Existing School-Specific Standards can be updated whenever necessary.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Creating standards that are too broad.
• Writing standards that cannot be measured.
• Duplicating existing standards.
• Using vague descriptions.
• Creating standards without curriculum alignment.

Well-designed standards help ensure consistent assessment and meaningful reporting.