Grading Policy

Our district uses a Standards Based Report Card (SBRC) for kindergarten through second grade. Instead of “grades” based on percentages/points, student progress will be assessed periodically and reported in the SBRC with the following scale:

1 - Knowledge is so incomplete that it leads to frustration, even after repeated instruction.

2 - Beginners who need assistance to perform/practice a skill and would not be able to do it without help.

3 - Consistently able to perform the skill without assistance in order to achieve a goal.

4 - Consistently uses higher level thinking skills, such as analysis, synthesis, and integration in order to apply the skill to unfamiliar situations.

The purpose of a SBRC is to communicate to parents more specifically how their child is doing with regards to Virginia’s Standards of Learning, recognizing that traditional grading scales are not necessarily developmentally appropriate for our youngest learners. This report card is not like an upper elementary, middle, or high school report card. It is a communication tool, not something that goes towards a “grade point average.”

Note from Mrs. Miller: Please note that a 4 is not an “A,” a 3 is not a “B,” etc. A 3 is “meets the standard” and means that your child knows what the state standard requires in that area for an end of the year second grader. If part of the information is still being taught or if your child has not mastered it consistently, your child will receive a 2, which means “working towards the standard.” Also, 4’s are not possible in some areas. If the standard is “uses objects to determine if a number is even or odd,” then your child either meets that standard (3) or does not.

Assessments

1.) Much data is gathered through teacher pre-assessments, observation, formative assessment, quick checks, etc.

2.) Spelling assessments are given periodically throughout each quarter.

3.) Vocabulary and reading comprehension tests are also given periodically to be sure that students are able to read and use the vocabulary words that have been taught to date, as well as comprehend grade level expected text.

4.) Your child's knowledge of math concepts will be assessed throughout the year. We will also continue to assess math concepts using Amcanywhere.com, commonly referred to as "numeracy assessments." This year's assessments are scheduled for August, November, February, and April/May. These assessments provide the teacher information to assist in planning math instruction.

5.) Writing assessments will be given periodically throughout the school year.

6.) PALS testing occurs in the fall, at the midyear point, and then again in the spring to track each child's reading progress. This testing is used as a tool to help teachers focus their instruction in the best way for each individual student.