Standards Mastery Based Learning communicates how students are performing on clearly defined objectives called priority standards.  The purpose of Standards Mastery Learning is to identify what a student knows or is able to do in connection to a standard.  The benefits of Standard Mastery Learning include:

• Students will be able to explain what they learned or did not learn rather than focusing on an arbitrary letter grade.

• Standards Mastery Learning shifts the focus from earning points to learning.

• Students are inclined to take more risks when the pressure of letters grades is taken away.

• Parent and student feedback is specific in all content areas.

• Grades are not averaged; therefore, students are not penalized for low scores that may occur at the beginning of units.  

• Standards Mastery Learning creates a higher level of consistency and continuity in assessment among teachers.