Standards-Based Grading for Our ESL Students: A Fairer Way Forward

How do we grade English Language Learners fairly? In this episode of Language Bridge Podcast, we explore the messy world of grading—where scores for the same essay can range from 50 to 96, even after teacher training. We dig into assessment versus evaluation and the 3 P’s: process, product, and progress and how standards-based grading—a 1-to-4 scale tied to mastery—could be the key for ESL students. We will discuss how it mirrors our ELL student’s language journey, cuts bias, and encourages growth. We’re diving deep with research and real tips, challenging you to rethink how we bridge language and learning.