Overview

While many schools use nationally recognized standards such as Common Core, some institutions follow their own curriculum frameworks, competency models, accreditation requirements, or learning objectives.

School-Specific Standards allow administrators to create and manage custom standards that reflect the unique educational goals of their institution.

These standards can be used alongside Common Core Standards or independently as part of a Standards-Based Grading system.

By creating School-Specific Standards, schools can evaluate student mastery based on the skills, competencies, and outcomes that are most important to their academic programs.

Why Use School-Specific Standards?

Every institution is different.

Schools may need standards that support:

• Internal curriculum frameworks.
• Competency-based education programs.
• International curricula.
• Accreditation requirements.
• Career and technical education pathways.
• Faith-based educational objectives.
• School-developed learning outcomes.

School-Specific Standards provide flexibility when national standards alone do not meet institutional needs.

Examples of School-Specific Standards

A school may create standards such as:

Communication Skills

• Demonstrates effective verbal communication.
• Presents ideas clearly and confidently.
• Participates respectfully in discussions.

Critical Thinking

• Analyzes information effectively.
• Evaluates evidence before making conclusions.
• Applies reasoning to solve complex problems.

Digital Literacy

• Uses technology responsibly.
• Evaluates digital resources critically.
• Demonstrates appropriate online behavior.

Leadership

• Demonstrates initiative.
• Collaborates effectively with peers.
• Takes responsibility for assigned tasks.

These standards may not exist within Common Core but may be important to the school's educational mission.

School-Specific Standards vs Common Core Standards

Many schools choose to use both.

How Schools Use School-Specific Standards

School-Specific Standards can be used for:

Standards-Based Grading

Evaluate student mastery of specific competencies.

Student Growth Tracking

Monitor progress toward institutional learning goals.

Report Cards

Include standards-based performance indicators.

Accreditation Reporting

Demonstrate achievement of educational outcomes.

Competency-Based Education

Measure mastery rather than seat time.

Examples of Performance Measurement

A school may evaluate students against a standard such as:

Demonstrates Effective Communication Skills

Performance may be recorded as:

This allows educators to track mastery independently from traditional course grades.

Benefits of School-Specific Standards

Curriculum Flexibility

Schools can create standards that reflect their unique educational philosophy.

Institutional Alignment

Learning outcomes can be directly tied to school goals.

Enhanced Student Assessment

Teachers gain more visibility into student skill development.

Personalized Learning

Assessment focuses on mastery and growth.

Support for Specialized Programs

Custom standards can support programs not covered by national standards.

When Should Schools Create Custom Standards?

Schools often create custom standards when:

• Existing standards do not fully meet curriculum needs.
• Specialized programs require unique assessments.
• Accreditation frameworks require specific outcomes.
• Competency-based learning models are used.
• Institutional values need to be measured and reported.

Custom standards help ensure that assessment aligns with the school's mission and objectives.

Best Practices

Keep Standards Clear

Standards should be easy to understand and measure.

Focus on Observable Skills

Students should be able to demonstrate mastery.

Align with Curriculum

Standards should support instructional goals.

Avoid Duplicating Existing Standards

Use Common Core standards when appropriate and create custom standards only when necessary.

Review Standards Regularly

Update standards as curriculum and educational priorities evolve.

Common Questions

Can I create my own standards in openSIS?

Yes. Schools can create and manage their own custom standards.

Do School-Specific Standards replace Common Core Standards?

No. Schools can use School-Specific Standards alongside Common Core Standards or independently.

Can custom standards be used for grading?

Yes. School-Specific Standards can be incorporated into Standards-Based Grading workflows.

Who creates School-Specific Standards?

Typically, administrators, curriculum coordinators, or academic leadership teams define and maintain these standards.