New test score labels seek positivity, ditching the term 'standard not met' for 'below basic'

"The California State Board of Education's meeting this week will discuss changing student performance categories from Standard Not Met and Standard Nearly Met due to confusion and concerns about demotivation."

"Advocacy groups criticized the initial labels for the lower performance levels, claiming terms like Standard Not Met were perceived as failure, leading to discouragement among students."

California is reviewing its student performance labels on standardized tests to clarify meanings and reduce negative perceptions. Initially categorized as Standard Exceeded, Met, Nearly Met, and Not Met, the state is considering new labels: Advanced, Proficient, Foundational, and Inconsistent. However, feedback from advocacy groups indicated confusion surrounding the terms, especially the lower categories and their implications on student morale. Focus groups with parents and educators contributed to this discussion, resulting in additional proposals, including Basic and Below Basic, aiming to provide clear and motivating descriptors for student performance.

Read at Los Angeles Times