Standards-based learning is an approach that focuses on aligning curriculum, instruction, and assessment with specific learning standards, ensuring that students meet criteria on the appropriate proficiency scale.

Roland-Story uses the marks Exceeding (E), Meeting (M), Approaching (A), and Not Yet (N) to describe current levels of understanding and progress. Some districts use a numerical 4-3-2-1 scale that represents similar levels of proficiency. Regardless of the scale used, the purpose is to clearly communicate what students know, what they are still learning, and how they are growing over time.