Standards-Based Grading Support
The FIRST Education STAGR Center offers equitable training, resources, and support to school districts, leaders, and teachers in the areas of Standards, Targets, Assessment, Grading, and Reporting (STAGR). The center's mission is to develop educators' comprehensive understanding of these components to ensure all students experience high levels of equitable learning. Services include workshops, keynotes, STAGR analysis, and both on-site and virtual coaching. The center is directed by Becky Peppler, alongside a team of experts dedicated to enhancing assessment and grading practices in education.
THE STAGR ADVANTAGE
Schools across the country have spent significant amounts of time, energy and resources on reviewing standards and trying to figure out what they want kids to learn. And for the most part, they have done a nice job of this. Yet, many schools still struggle to figure out the best ways to assess if kids are actually learning and have kept very traditional and inaccurate ways of communicating student achievement to students and families. The STAGR Center was created to help schools through this challenge. Based on a practical and proven process, the STAGR Center can help schools increase student achievement, reliability in assessment and accuracy in communication. Contact us today to learn how we can support your school or district on all things pertaining to assessment and grading.
ASSESSMENT AND GRADING ANALYSIS
Did you implement Standards-Based Grading years ago? Did you have a large turnover in staff since the implementation? Wondering how well your SBG instructional efforts are meeting the needs of your students? How consistent are your practices across your teams, grade levels, and schools? Are all students successful with grade level standards? Are you seeing the instructional gains you expected with your current SBG practices?
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In order to best support your team in meeting your grading, reporting, and assessment goals, each step in our analysis is guided by the unique needs of your school or district. Allow us to analyze your progress and collaboratively determine your next steps. CLICK HERE to learn more!
ON-SITE AND VIRTUAL COACHING
Our coaching program is designed to provide comprehensive guidance and support for schools undergoing changes in assessment and grading practices. Our team of expert coaches works closely with educators, whether in person or virtually, to help navigate the complexities of implementing effective, equitable, and standards-aligned assessment and grading systems. Through ongoing collaboration, we tailor our approach to meet the unique needs of your school or district, offering hands-on support, actionable strategies, and research-based best practices. Whether your team is just beginning this journey or refining existing practices, our coaches will partner with you to ensure a smooth and successful transition.
KEYNOTES AND WORKSHOPS
The STAGR Center prides itself on delivering high-impact keynotes and workshops tailored to meet the diverse needs of educators, including administrators, teachers, and support staff. We understand that every school or district has unique goals and challenges, which is why we work closely with you to customize our messages, ensuring they align with your specific priorities and professional learning objectives. Whether you are organizing a small team training, a district-wide professional development session, or a large-scale educational conference, our expert speakers bring engaging, research-based content designed to inspire action. Our presentations focus on the essential shifts needed to create equitable, standards-aligned assessment and grading systems that support student success. Pleas check out our catalog of Keynote and Workshop Offerings by clicking HERE.
UPCOMING EVENTS
STAGR CONSULTANTS
OUR TEAM
Garth Larson, Ed.D
Garth Larson is the Co-Founder and CEO of FIRST Educational Resources. He began his career as a high school English teacher and Associate Principal, later serving as an elementary principal and the Director of Learning for the Winneconne Community School District in Northeast Wisconsin. In 2015, he co-founded FIRST Educational Resources, aiming to enhance student achievement across the United States. Since then, over 2000 school districts worldwide have partnered with his company.
Dr. Thomas Guskey
Dr. Guskey is Professor Emeritus in the College of Education at the University of Kentucky where he served as Department Chair, Head of the Educational Psychology Area Committee, and President of the Faculty Council. He began his career in education as a middle school teacher and earned his doctorate in educational measurement and evaluation at the University of Chicago. He served as an administrator in Chicago Public Schools before becoming the first director of the Center for the Improvement of Teaching and Learning, a national research center.
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Becky Peppler
Becky Peppler is the Director of the FIRST Education STAGR Center, a division of FIRST Educational Resources. With over 18 years in public education, she is dedicated to helping schools navigate the challenges of grading and assessment reform to create systems that support student learning and growth. A former 6-12 Instructional Coach and science educator, Becky has played a pivotal role in guiding over one hundred schools and districts through full transitions to Standards-Based Grading.
Myron Dueck
Myron Dueck frequently visits schools, conferences, and districts around the world to share his 25 years of practitioner and leadership experience. He helps educators generate ideas and navigate issues surrounding grading, assessment, reporting and student voice. Myron’s published work includes numerous journal articles and his best-selling book, Grading Smarter, Not Harder– Assessment Strategies that Motivate Kids and Help Them Learn (ASCD, 2014). His second book, ‘Giving Students a Say! Smarter Assessment Practices to Empower and Engage’ was released in January of 2021.
Don Smith
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).
Rick Wormeli
One of the first Nationally Board Certified teachers in America, Rick Wormeli brings innovation, energy, validity and high standards to both his presentations and his instructional practice, which include 44 years teaching math, science, English, physical education, health, and history, as well as coaching teachers, principals, superintendents, and other leadership. He is the author of the award-winning book Meet Me in the Middle as well as the best-selling books Day One and Beyond, Fair Isn't Always Equal: Assessment and Grading in the Differentiated Classroom and several other best-selling books.
Ken O'Connor
Ken O’Connor is an independent consultant who specializes in issues related to the communication of student achievement, especially grading and reporting. Through books & articles, presentations and working with small groups, Ken helps individuals, schools and school districts to improve communication about student achievement. In 1995, Ken developed eight guidelines for grading, and he has continued to refine those guidelines. In 2007, the same ideas were organized fifteen fixes for broken grades. He has also designed eleven guidelines for standard based reporting.
Jay McTighe
Jay McTighe brings a wealth of experience developed during a rich and varied career in education. He served as director of the Maryland Assessment Consortium, a state collaboration of school districts working together to develop and share formative performance assessments. Prior to this position, Jay was involved with school improvement projects at the Maryland State Department of Education where he helped lead Maryland’s standards-based reforms, including the development of performance-based statewide assessments.
Danica Lewis
Danica Lewis has 20 years of experience in schools, serving as an elementary teacher and later as a school and district administrator in curriculum & assessment leadership in urban and suburban schools. Danica led the implementation of standards-aligned instruction, assessment, and grading as both a district-level and building-level administrator and implemented a coaching program for a medium sized district. In 2017, the Wisconsin Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development recognized Danica as the “Instructional Leader of the Year” for the State of Wisconsin.
