This paper presents a structured approach to Standards-Based Grading (SBG) designed to minimize adoption barriers. Despite SBG’s benefits of focusing on learning mastery rather than point accumulation, instructors often resist implementation due to perceived workload. Our method leverages existing Course Learning Outcomes to efficiently define standards, minimizing upfront workload for the instructor, and employs a comprehensive assessment mapping that connects every evaluation item to its corresponding standard. Preliminary results from multiple courses demonstrate that this approach successfully addresses common SBG challenges, creating positive experiences for both instructors new to SBG and their students while maintaining pedagogical benefits.
