The Albion Board of Education ushered in a new era of student assessment Monday night, officially approving a shift to Standards-Based Grading for the elementary school. The decision, finalized during the regular meeting on September 9, changes how the district reports progress for roughly 800 elementary students. Instead of traditional letter grades or percentages, students will now be assessed based on their mastery of specific skills. Mrs. Angela Conway presented the new report card structure to the Board, explaining that the shift is designed to prioritize learning over simple grading. Under the old system, elementary students received percentage grades. Conway noted that traditional grading often mixes academic achievement with behavioral factors, such as compliance or "playing the game of school." "The primary purpose of grading is to effectively communicate student achievement towards a specific standard, at a point in time," Conway told the Board. "A grade should reflect what a student knows and is able to do." Under the new system, student achievement is separated from learning habits. Academic performance will be scored on a scale of 1 to 3: * **3:** Meeting grade level expectations. * **2:** Progressing toward grade level expectations. * **1:** Working below grade level expectations. * **IE:** Insufficient Evidence. * **NA:** Not Assessed at this time. Additionally, students will receive separate feedback on "The Eagle Way" (Safety, Ownership, Acting Responsibly, and Respect), which will not factor into the academic grade. Families will see the first of these new report cards in December, with subsequent distribution in March and June. Unlike previous years where only struggling students received five-week notices, all students will receive Mid-Trimester Notices. To help families adjust to the change, the district has already distributed pamphlets at Back to School Night and will send a letter home next week. A virtual Q&A session via Google Meet is scheduled for October and November, and teachers will discuss the reports during Parent-Teacher Conferences on December 12 and 13. **Personnel Changes and Hiring** The Board managed a significant volume of personnel business, largely due to the start of the new school year. The resignation of six staff members was accepted, including Sebastian Erakare (Non-Certified Substitute Teacher), Madison Pratt (Certified Substitute Teacher), and Kerry Lane (Clerk at the Elementary School). To fill gaps, the Board moved quickly to appoint new staff. Richard Neal was appointed as a Building Maintenance Worker with a starting salary of $40,000. Katlyn Ritchey was appointed as a Custodian at the Middle School with a salary of $35,306, plus a $1,800 stipend. The Board also approved the creation of a new Teacher Aide position to address staffing needs. Long-term substitute appointments were granted to Tracy Monell, Gabrielle Joyner, and Hailey Bader (Library Media Specialist Intern). **Financial Approvals and Future Trips** Financially, the Board approved a budget transfer of $6,000 to cover additional supplies for the High School. Looking ahead, the Board granted "First Approval" for the High School Marching Band trip to Chicago, IL, scheduled for May 1–4, 2025. This is the initial step in the approval process for student travel; the district will likely require further approvals as specific fundraising and logistics are solidified. The Board also approved a list of fall athletic appointments, including Wil Prince as Varsity Girls’ Basketball Coach and Vincent Strollo as a volunteer Modified Girls’ Soccer Coach. Several paid supervisor positions for athletic events were also filled to ensure adequate coverage for volleyball and football games. **Public Forum Changes** Superintendent Edwards reminded the community that starting in October, the process for public participation at Board meetings will change. Residents wishing to speak during the Public Forum must submit their information to the District Clerk by the end of business on the Friday prior to the meeting. The next Board of Education meeting is scheduled for October 2024.