• In education, the term standards-based refers to systems of instruction, assessment, grading, and academic reporting that are based on students demonstrating understanding or mastery of the knowledge and skills they are expected to learn as they progress through their education. In schools that use Standards Based Grading, a clear and consise description of what students are expected to be able to do guide the teacher in setting learning goals of a lesson or course. Teachers then decide how and what to teach in order to meet those learning goals.