The grading policy of the Cedar Hill Independent School District is designed to provide consistency throughout the system and to meet requirements specified by the Texas Education Agency. There are four reporting periods, two each semester. Supplementary reporting is accomplished through parent/teacher conferences and/or three-week interim progress reports. In grades 9-12, number grades are used to represent the teacher’s assessment of the student’s achievement. Number grades can be converted to letter grades using the following scale:

A = 90 – 100 C = 70 - 79

B = 80 – 89 F = Below 70

Options and Requirements for Providing Assistance to Students Who Have Learning Difficulties and Who Need or May Need Special Education

Parents of students with learning difficulties or who may need special education services may request an evaluation for special education at any time. For more information, contact Derica Turner, Executive Director of Special Education, 285 Uptown Blvd, Building 300, Cedar Hill, TX 75104, 972-291-1581

Although CHISD Board policy grants credit for a yearly average of 70 or higher, for the NCAA, each semester stands alone. NCAA Clearinghouse will allow the credit as well. However, student athletes who are hoping to attend Division I or II schools should plan to make up any failing semester grades they have made even if they did receive the credit through averaging. CAUTION: Students and parents should also be aware that the NCAA core GPA is not equivalent to the student’s current high school GPA. Please contact the counseling office for more information.

Students must be eligible under no-pass, no-play. Extracurricular activities include public performances, contests, demonstrations, displays and club activities. An activity would be considered extracurricular if:

• the activity is competitive;

• the activity is held in conjunction with another activity that is considered extracurricular;

• the general public is invited;

• an admission price is charged.

Exception: If a student is enrolled in a state-approved course in which he or she must demonstrate mastery of the essential knowledge and skills in a public performance, then he or she may participate so long as the activity is not competitive, it is not held in conjunction with another activity that is competitive, and an admission price is not charged. For example, a theater student may participate in a non-competitive, free presentation of a one-act play in which the public is invited to attend.

Basics of No Pass, No Play

• Must be passing all courses (except identified advanced classes).

• Students lose eligibility for a three-week period, which is defined as 15 class days. Exception: one but only one of the three school weeks may consist of only three or four class days, provided the school have been dismissed for a scheduled holiday period. Two class days does not constitute a school week. Exception: Thanksgiving if schools are on holiday Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

• School week begins at 12:01 a.m. on the first instructional day of the calendar week and ends at the close of instruction on the last instructional day of the calendar week (excluding holidays).

• Ineligible students must wait seven (7) calendar days after a three-week evaluation period and the grading period to regain eligibility.

• Students may regain eligibility an unlimited number of times throughout the school year. Passing means a minimum grade of 70 on all courses (except identified advanced classes).

Note: Spring break can't be part of the 3-week evaluation process. All students are eligible during spring break.

Texas Education Agency/University Interscholastic League Academic Requirements (No Pass, No Play)

A student who receives, at the end of any six weeks grading period, a grade below 70 in any academic class (other than an identified advanced class) may not participate in extracurricular activities for at least three school weeks. An ineligible student may practice or rehearse, however. The student regains eligibility when the principal and teachers determine that he or she has:

• earned a passing grade (70 or above) in all academic classes and

• completed the three school weeks of ineligibility.

All students are eligible during a school holiday of a full calendar week or more. When the bell rings to dismiss students for the December holidays, all students are eligible until classes resume in January. The same is true for the summer recess and spring break provided those breaks consist of at least a full calendar week.

The 80th Texas Legislative Session passed SB 1517 in May, 2007 which amends Section 33.081 of the Education Code restricting the courses that are now considered waivable. Senate Bill 1517 defines that the exemption only “applies to an advanced placement or international baccalaureate course, or to an honors or dual credit course in the subject areas of English language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, economics, or a language other than English.”

Upon the recommendation of the admission, review, and dismissal committee, a student with disabilities may be permitted to graduate under the provisions of his or her individualized education program (IEP). A student who receives special education services and has completed four years of high school, but has not met the requirements of his or her IEP, may participate in graduation ceremonies and receive a certificate of attendance. Even if the student participates in graduation ceremonies to receive the certificate of attendance, he or she may remain enrolled to complete the IEP and earn his or her high school diploma; however, the student will only be allowed to participate in one graduation ceremony.