How to Edit a Standard Grade Scale in openSIS

How to Edit a Standard Grade Scale in openSIS

Overview

Over time, schools may update their Standards-Based Grading framework to reflect changes in curriculum, assessment policies, accreditation requirements, or institutional goals. When these changes occur, administrators may need to modify existing Standard Grade Scales.

openSIS allows administrators to edit Standard Grade Scales and adjust the proficiency framework used to evaluate student mastery of learning standards.

Maintaining updated grading scales helps ensure consistency, accuracy, and alignment with current educational practices.


Why Edit a Standard Grade Scale?

Schools may update a Standard Grade Scale when:

  • Assessment policies change.
  • New proficiency levels are introduced.
  • Existing grades are revised.
  • Grading terminology is updated.
  • Curriculum frameworks evolve.
  • Competency-based learning programs are expanded.
  • Reporting requirements change.

Regular review of grading scales helps ensure that assessment practices remain relevant and effective.


Before Editing a Standard Grade Scale

Before making changes, review the following.

Existing Standard Grades

Determine whether associated Standard Grades require updates.

Assessment Impact

Consider how modifications may affect standards-based grading and reporting.

School Policies

Ensure updates align with approved grading frameworks and assessment procedures.

Teacher Communication

Significant grading changes should be communicated to educators before implementation.


How to Edit a Standard Grade Scale

Step 1: Navigate to Standard Grade Scale

Go to:

Settings → Grades → Standards Based Grades → Standard Grade Scale

The page displays all configured Standard Grade Scales.


Step 2: Locate the Scale

Find the Standard Grade Scale you want to modify.

Examples:

  • Elementary Standards Scale
  • Academic Mastery Scale
  • Competency-Based Scale

Review the existing scale structure before making changes.


Step 3: Click Edit

Select the Edit icon next to the Standard Grade Scale.

The editing form will open.


Step 4: Update Scale Information

Modify the required fields.


Update the Scale Title

Before:

Elementary Standards Scale

After:

Elementary Mastery Scale

The updated title may better reflect the institution's assessment model.


Update the Description

Before:

Used for standards-based grading in Grades K–5.

After:

Used to evaluate student mastery of academic standards and competencies in Grades K–5.

Clear descriptions help educators understand the purpose of each scale.


Update Associated Grades

Before:

Grade
Advanced
Proficient
Developing
Beginning

After:

Grade
Exemplary
Advanced
Proficient
Developing
Beginning

The revised scale introduces an additional mastery level.


Update Grade Order

Ensure grades remain organized from highest to lowest proficiency or according to institutional policy.

Example:

OrderGrade
1Exemplary
2Advanced
3Proficient
4Developing
5Beginning

Consistent ordering improves reporting and interpretation.


Step 5: Review Changes

Verify that:

  • All associated grades are correct.
  • No duplicate grades exist.
  • Grade order is appropriate.
  • Scale terminology aligns with school policies.

Step 6: Save

Click Save.

The updated Standard Grade Scale becomes available for standards-based assessment and reporting.


Example Scale Revision

Original Scale

Grade
Advanced
Proficient
Developing
Beginning

Revised Scale

Grade
Exemplary
Advanced
Proficient
Developing
Beginning

The institution adds an additional mastery level to better differentiate high-performing students.


Benefits of Updating Standard Grade Scales

Improved Assessment Accuracy

Scales remain aligned with current educational practices.

Better Mastery Tracking

Schools can measure student progress more effectively.

Enhanced Reporting

Standards-based reports provide clearer performance information.

Curriculum Alignment

Assessment frameworks evolve alongside curriculum requirements.

Flexible Assessment Models

Schools can adapt scales to support changing educational goals.


Best Practices

Review Scales Annually

Evaluate grading frameworks before each academic year.

Keep Scale Structures Simple

Students, parents, and teachers should easily understand proficiency levels.

Align with Assessment Policies

Ensure grading scales support institutional expectations.

Communicate Major Changes

Notify educators when grading frameworks are updated.

Document Revisions

Maintain records of significant grading scale changes.


Common Questions

Can I edit a Standard Grade Scale after it has been created?

Yes. Standard Grade Scales can be updated whenever changes are needed.

Can I add new grades to an existing scale?

Yes. Additional Standard Grades can be associated with the scale.

Can I remove grades from a scale?

Yes, provided the change aligns with institutional assessment policies.

Will scale changes affect future assessments?

Yes. Future standards-based evaluations will use the updated grading structure.


Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Updating scales without reviewing associated grades.
  • Creating duplicate proficiency levels.
  • Using unclear grading terminology.
  • Failing to communicate changes to staff.
  • Making major revisions without policy review.

Well-maintained Standard Grade Scales help ensure fair, consistent, and meaningful standards-based assessment throughout the institution.

    • Related Articles

    • How to Delete a Standard Grade Scale in openSIS

      Overview Over time, schools may revise their Standards-Based Grading framework to reflect curriculum updates, policy changes, accreditation requirements, or instructional improvements. As part of this process, some Standard Grade Scales may become ...
    • How to Add Grades to a Standard Grade Scale in openSIS

      Overview After creating a Standard Grade Scale, the next step is to associate Standard Grades with the scale. Standard Grades define the proficiency levels used to evaluate student mastery, while the Standard Grade Scale serves as the framework that ...
    • How to Create a Standard Grade Scale in openSIS

      Overview A Standard Grade Scale is a framework that groups Standard Grades together and defines how student mastery will be evaluated within a Standards-Based Grading system. By creating a Standard Grade Scale, schools can establish consistent ...
    • What is a Standard Grade Scale in openSIS?

      Overview A Standard Grade Scale is a collection of Standard Grades organized into a structured grading framework used for Standards-Based Grading. While a Standard Grade represents an individual proficiency level such as Advanced, Proficient, ...
    • What are Standards-Based Grades in openSIS?

      Overview Standards-Based Grades allow schools to evaluate student performance based on specific learning standards rather than relying solely on traditional letter grades or percentage scores. Instead of measuring only how many points a student ...