Where Grading Reflects True Mastery
We empower schools and educators to transform assessment through trusted certification, clear standards, and expert guidance—creating grading practices that are fair, meaningful, and truly focused on student learning.
Pillars of Our Certification
Our Standards
We’ve established five core standards that define high-fidelity implementation, covering everything from curriculum and policy to reporting and stakeholder involvement.
Our Rubrics
We provide a transparent rubric outlining three levels of certification Initial, Standard, and Advanced to help you identify your current strengths and see a clear path for growth.
Our Process
The Assessment & Competency Collaborative’s 4-step process is a supportive partnership designed to meet your school where it is and guide you toward meaningful, lasting change.
Our 5 Core Standards
The Foundation of Fidelity
These five standards are the bedrock of an authentic standards-based system.
They ensure that all aspects of your educational practice are aligned with the principles of fairness, clarity, and student mastery.
Written Curriculum Based on Standards
Standard 1
Policy
Standard 2
Meaningful Feedback & Practice
Standard 3
Clear Gradebook Organization & Reporting
Standard 4
Recognition & Stakeholder Involvement
Standard 5
The Critical Gap in Standards-Based Grading
It’s not enough to simply call your school “Standards-Based.” A 2020 paper by Guskey, Townsley, and Buckmiller revealed a critical gap: most schools were implementing these practices with “moderate” or “low” fidelity. This means the full benefits of equity, clarity, and student empowerment are often lost.
A 2020 paper, “The Impact of Standards Based Learning,” by Thomas R. Guskey, Matt Townsley, and Thomas M. Buckmiller, revealed a critical gap in implementation.
Finding: “The high schools from which these students graduated were not implementing SBL with high fidelity… Most high schools represented in this study were classified as ‘moderate’ or ‘low’ fidelity.”
This is the gap we exist to fill.
Our Mission
To promote and support transformative grading practices by certifying schools and districts that align curriculum, assessment, feedback, and reporting with clear, measurable standards of learning.
Our Vision
A world where grading reflects mastery, empowers students, and fosters meaningful learning for every learner regardless of background or zip code.
Leaders Behind the Movement
Our founders are veteran educators dedicated to assessment reform.
With decades of experience as teachers, principals, and coaches, they have led schools through this transformation and are active contributors to the global conversation.
James Mattiace
Co-Founder & Executive Director, a 25-year veteran educator and writer. He has been working in assessment reform in schools for the past 15 years.
Vickie Swann
Co-Founder & Chief Education Officer, an experienced Deputy Head of School and Director of Teaching and Learning who has guided multiple schools in adopting full Standards-Based systems.
Ready to validate your commitment to meaningful assessment?
Take the next step. Our transparent and supportive process is designed to be a collaborative partnership, helping you enhance and celebrate your school’s best practices.