Purpose

We respectfully petition to stop the implementation of standards-based grading for the incoming 6th grade class in the 2026–2027 school year.

For a better understanding, please visit this website:  https://dist31sbgtranspare.wixsite.com/transparency-for-acc

Rationale

1. Lack of Transparency and Communication

At the incoming 6th grade parent meeting, no information was shared about standards-based grading despite it being announced in the May Board meeting for implementation.  This lack of transparency raises concerns about the decision-making process and stakeholder engagement.

2. History of Failure in Our District 225

Standards-based grading was implemented in District 28 and failed and it is being discontinued in our district  for next year’s 7th grade class. Why is the district attempting to implement a system that has already proven unsuccessful in our own community?  Repeating a failed initiative without addressing what went wrong is concerning to our community.

3. Inadequate Staff Preparation and Professional Development

Teachers are not contracted to work during the summer, yet implementation requires significant training which would then have to take place during the school year. Leading to substitute teachers—who are less qualified—would instruct our students while classroom teachers attend professional development.  This directly impacts instructional quality and student learning.  A gradual rollout with a small group of students over multiple years with dedicated institute days would allow proper preparation without compromising instruction.

4. Developmental Considerations for Middle School Transition

6th graders are navigating significant transitions to a new school; a grading system overhaul adds unnecessary complexity.  Our smaller district already presents challenges for students transitioning to larger high schools like Glenbrook North and South.  Introducing an unfamiliar grading system compounds transition difficulties and puts our students at a disadvantage.

5. Regional Context and Competitive Disadvantage

No other school district in our area is implementing standards-based grading. Our students will be unprepared for the traditional grading systems used at Glenbrook North and South, which are high-achieving schools.  This creates an additional barrier during an already challenging transition period.

6. Timing and Readiness Concerns

The implementation period would likely decrease academic rigor as systems are adjusted.

We are a small school district—we should not be an experimental ground for untested initiatives.

Recommendation

We recommend:

Stopping standards-based grading implementation for 6th grade in 2026–2027

Conducting a thorough review of why in our district and surrounding districts implementation has failed AND publicly share a detailed implementation plan that clearly articulates how we will address each factor of failure. 

Engaging stakeholders (teachers, parents, administrators) in transparent dialogue before any future initiatives

Allowing adequate time for proper staff training and system preparation during allocated professional development days

Considering a gradual, multi-year rollout only after proven success in other comparable districts which includes small pilots with specific classrooms or subjects where outcomes are measured and shared broadly. 

Conclusion

Our students deserve stability, quality instruction, and preparation that aligns with the schools they will attend. Implementing a failed system without proper preparation, transparency, or community input is not in their best interest. We urge the administration to listen to community members and STOP SBG to prioritize students' academic success and transition experience.