Nice list of small manageable changes.
You want switch to standards-based grading, but, for whatever reason, you cannot. Do not worry. All of the strengths of SBG can be done within a traditional grading system:
- Shift from tracking by chapter to tracking by concept.
- Allow opportunities for students to show growth.
- Don’t grade homework and practice.
- Provide timely and effective feedback.
- Spiral concepts throughout the curriculum and your assessments.
- Give shorter, more frequent quizzes.
- Assess what you value.
- Provide clear goals and expectations for performance.
- Encourage risk taking, failure, iteration, and experimentation.
- Do what works best for your students and your situation.
A traditional system done in the spirit of SBG  is much, much better than an SBG system done poorly. (Trust me, I’m speaking from experience!)
Renovating My Classroom 
This is a gem, Jacob.
Pamela Hansen LD/Literacy Consultant © 604-355-6719 Focus on Literacy and Learning http://phansenvsb.wordpress.com Communications 11 and 12 http://vsbcomteachernetwork.wordpress.com
From: Renovating My Classroom <comment-reply@wordpress.com> Reply-To: Renovating My Classroom <comment+efvnuw09f7rd_498ythab53@comment.wordpress.com> Date: Wednesday, 26 June, 2013 9:29 PM To: admin Hansen <phansen@vsb.bc.ca> Subject: [New post] The Spirit of SBG
J Martens posted: “Nice list of small manageable changes.”
It’s great isn’t it — short and sweet. Just realized I need to reference it in my morning session tomorrow.