Event Description
Navigating the transition to Standards-Based Grading can feel overwhelming—but you don’t have to do it alone. Whether you’re leading the shift or supporting its implementation, this interactive workshop provides practical strategies and tools to help you drive meaningful grading reform in your school or district.
Join experienced educators as they guide you through key steps in implementing SBG, from developing a strong why and shifting mindsets to designing a communication plan and aligning grading practices with student learning. This interactive session will provide real-world scenarios, collaborative discussions, and practical tools to help you navigate challenges and take actionable steps in your role.
Key Topics:
✅ Establishing Your Why and Shifting Mindsets
✅ STAGR Roadmap: Where to Start or What’s Next?
✅ Communicating and Engaging Stakeholders
✅ Goal-Setting and Building a Sustainable Plan
This workshop is ideal for superintendents, curriculum directors, principals, instructional coaches, department leads, and educators who want to strengthen their role in assessment and grading reform. Bring your questions, challenges, and ideas as we collaborate on making SBG a reality in your schools!
Your Presenter(s)
Becky Peppler and Don Smith
Becky Peppler is the Director of the FIRST Education Center for Assessment and Grading (a division of FIRST Educational Resources). She has 15 years of professional experience in public education, working in the Winneconne Community School District in northeast Wisconsin. Becky has spent time as a 6-12 Instructional Coach with a focus on supporting teachers in the classroom on a daily basis. Prior to her role as an instructional coach, Becky taught Chemistry and Forensic Science and was the 6-12 Science Curriculum Chair. She is a member of the Wisconsin Society of Science Teachers (WSST), where she was awarded the Excellence in Science Education Award for the state of Wisconsin, and the Wisconsin Science Education Leadership Association (WSELA). Becky has helped the Winneconne Community School District transition to Target Based Grading at the middle and high school levels. She has a passion for designing meaningful assessments practices, making reassessment work, target based learning implementation, building social and emotional skills and ensuring that all students continue to learn at high levels. Becky currently consults to school districts all over the United States in these areas.
Don Smith has 20 years of professional experience in public schools. Don previously served as the Director of Teaching and Learning for the Winneconne Community School District, in Wisconsin. Prior to that, Don was the Director of Teaching and Learning in the School District of Waupaca. Don also served as the Principal at Fond du Lac STEM Academy and Fond du Lac STEM Institute, as well as the District Assessment Coordinator for the Fond du Lac Area School District (WI). Don continually leads professional development sessions centered on research based practices in instruction, assessment and grading. In 2022, Don began working full time with FIRST Educational Resources.