Standards-based learning is an effort to strengthen the coherence, equity, and clarity of teaching and learning as it relates to common core state standards (CCSS).
At the start of the 2026-27 school year, SBL was launched with opt-in participation at the middle school grade levels. 40 teachers volunteered to participate from grades six through eight, and every KSD middle school is represented. Prior to the start of the school year, each teacher who opted in participated in four days of training on SBL. English Language Arts classes were selected at the middle school level to gather data around SBL, including:
Using learning targets and success criteria in daily instruction.
Aligning classroom assessments to standards.
Providing high-quality, actionable feedback to students.
Engaging in ongoing professional learning communities to reflect on student work and calibrate expectations.
All students will continue to receive a letter grade. The data collected will provide feedback and insight about SBL from students and teachers to inform implementation and future steps.
Standards-Based Learning (SBL) is an approach designed to make it clearer for students to know what they are expected to learn, how they are progressing, and what they need to do next in alignment to CCSS. To support students as they work toward course standards, teachers use learning targets, evidence of student learning, and feedback to support students.
January 2026 through May 2026 focused on professional development for administrators and teachers, foundational work to create the internal SBL framework and drafts of the tools for review by KSD school admin, teachers, and staff. During the summer, team members further developed the SBL tools, content, and communications.
Kent School District continues its work to strengthen equitable, high-quality learning experiences for all students. It aligns with the district's mission of successfully preparing all students for their futures and supports the strategic goals of preparing students to be global citizens, expanding partnerships with students, families, and the community, and building equitable systems and school environments across the district.
