IK

IK: ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

The philosophy of the School Committee concerning academic achievement, as well as children's social growth and development, is based on the premise that children have diverse capabilities and individual patterns of growth and learning.

Therefore, the Committee feels it is important that teachers have as much and as accurate knowledge of each student as possible in order to assess his/her needs and growth, and make instructional plans for him/her. A sharing of information among parent, teacher, and student is essential.

The Committee supports staff efforts to find better ways to measure and report student progress. It will require that:

1. Parents/guardians be informed regularly, and at least four times a year, of the progress their children are making in school.

2. Parents/guardians will be alerted and conferred with as soon as possible when a child's performance or attitude becomes unsatisfactory or shows marked or sudden deterioration.

3. Insofar as possible, distinctions will be made between a student's attitude and his academic performance.

4. At comparable levels, the school system will strive for consistency in grading and reporting.

5. When no grades are given but the student is evaluated informally in terms of his/her own progress, the school staff will also provide a realistic appraisal of the student's standing in relation to his/her peers.

6. When grades are given, the school staff will take particular care to explain the meaning of marks and symbols to parents.

SOURCE: MASC

Adopted on: April 24, 2008