Grading Scales/Practices

• No grading floor

• 8 minor grades

• 3 minor grades

• Assignments calculated on a 100 point scale

Assignment Submission

Students are expected to submit all minor and major assignments assigned. Major assessments and assignments considered required assignments for the course. 

Missing Work Due to Not Handed In

• Assigned work that is not handed in by the due date will be recorded in the gradebook as a code of NHI. The code of NHI equates to a score of zero in the gradebook. 

Missing Work Due to Student Absences

• Work missed because of an excused absence will be recorded as MDA.

• Students have five (5) school days after returning from an excused absence to submit missed work unless alternative arrangements are made because of an extended absence or other extenuating circumstances. If alternative arrangements have not been made with the teacher, a grade of zero will be recorded as the grade for the missing work.

Retake Policy

Students will have the opportunity to retake any major assessment. Once grades for the assessment are posted, the student will have five days to complete the school Google Form indicating they intend to retake the assessment. The teacher will provide a reteaching opportunity, and schedule a time for the student to complete the retake. Essays, projects and performances that are assigned major assessment grades are not eligible for a retake. Individual teachers will not establish separate procedures. 

There are  two pathways for students to complete a retake, redo, or revision.

Pathway 1: PLC-Driven Response

Through the PLC process, teachers will analyze common major assessment results and identify students who have not yet demonstrated mastery of essential standards.

The PLC will:

• Identify the standards requiring additional learning.

• Determine appropriate remediation, intervention, or relearning activities.

• Select an alternate assessment or revised learning task.

• Coordinate the reassessment during an established intervention time.

• Communicate the plan and expectations to the student.

Students must complete the PLC-identified remediation or relearning before reassessment.

Pathway 2: Student-Initiated Request

Students may request a retake, redo, or revision of an eligible major assessment.

To qualify, the student must:

• Submit the school’s Retake/Redo Request Form within five school days of the grade being posted.

• Have submitted all minor assignments associated with the instructional unit.

• Complete teacher-directed remediation or relearning before reassessment.

• Coordinate the reassessment with the teacher during an agreed-upon intervention time.

Middle School Common Expectations

The following expectations will apply to both pathways:

• Only major assessments are eligible for retake, redo, or revision.

• All reassessments must be completed by the end of the grading period in which the original assessment was assigned.

• Students must complete teacher-directed remediation or relearning before reassessment.

• The teacher and student will coordinate the reassessment during an agreed-upon intervention time, such as before school, FLEX, lunch, or after school.

• An alternate assessment or revised learning task may be used to demonstrate mastery of the same standards measured by the original assessment.

• The highest score earned will replace the previous score in the gradebook.

• School procedures must be implemented consistently across all grade levels and content areas.

Make-up Work Policy

In order to receive full credit for make-up work, all work must be submitted within five school days, immediately following the excused absence.  In cases of prolonged illness beyond five days, special consideration will be given.  It is the responsibility of the students, not the teachers, to arrange for make-up work.

• If a student misses a test or quiz while absent, on the first day back, arrangements should be made with the teacher to make up the assessment within five days.

• In general, work is made up before or after school in order not to miss more class time. Arrangements may also be made with the teacher to make-up assignments during support times such as lunch.  Arrangements should be made with the teacher to complete this in a timely manner.

• All work not turned in due to an absence will be coded as MDA in the gradebook. 

Late Work Policy

In order to continue to foster high expectations for our students, while focusing on learning outcomes, teachers have collaborated to address the issue of assignments not handed in.  Teachers provide extra help before and after school, as well as time during Flex in addition to class time to ensure that students have an opportunity to receive the necessary support to complete their assignments successfully. Purposely evading or refusing to do work are exceptions to the late work allowance. 

Teachers will accept late work when a student is absent, with no penalty to the student up to 5 days after the original due date or the end of the grading period, whichever comes first. A teacher may extend the late work acceptance deadline but may not reduce the time. The work, although submitted late, will not receive a point reduction. Assessments must be about mastery of content and if graded, the goal is to assess mastery, not behaviors. Work can be accepted late across grading periods by special exception and approval of the teacher and/or administrator. 

MagicSchool AI

This year, students will have access to MagicSchool AI, a generative AI platform built for schools that will help them learn to use the technology safely and responsibly.  

With tools like ChatGPT and Gemini being used in the professional world, it’s important that students learn how to use the technology safely. By using MagicSchool in our classrooms, your students will be prepared for the future of technology in the workforce.  

While students use MagicSchool tools for purposes such as receiving real time feedback, getting their questions answered, and in other exciting ways, I will have access to their chats to ensure that it’s used appropriately.  Rest assured, MagicSchool does not collect or  utilize student data.  All instruction programs including Artificial Intelligence software like MagicSchool meet the requirements contained in GCS Board Policy and Administrative Rule IA.   

Generative AI

Generative AI tools like MagicSchool and Google Gemini may be used in this course to enhance learning. Greenville County Schools emphasizes the ethical use of such technology. While AI can be used for self-learning and generating ideas, it should not replace your own critical thinking and work. It is important to note that using AI to complete assignments and submitting them as your own is plagiarism. If AI is allowed by your teacher, you must cite it according to the correct citation. Be aware of the potential for bias and inaccuracies in AI-generated content. Use these tools ethically and be aware of their limitations. Generative AI is meant to supplement, not replace, traditional instruction. All instruction programs including Artificial Intelligence meet the requirements contained in GCS Board Policy and Administrative Rule IA.   

2026-2027 Teacher Guidance for Administrative Rule IA for Secondary Grades 6-12

GCS Administrative Rule IA

Technology and AI are intended to support instruction, not replace strong teaching, collaboration, and critical thinking. Good instructional planning and delivery require that teaching is the tool, not the lesson. Highly effective classrooms should balance direct instruction, student collaboration, critical thinking, meaningful student engagement, and purposeful technology integration. Teachers should:

Keep Instruction Student Centered:

• Prioritize direct instruction and interpersonal collaboration

• Balance technology use with discussion, writing, problem-solving, and productive struggle

• Avoid excessive dependence on digital worksheets or passive online activities

• Ensure students are not on devices for the majority of a class period unless instruction specifically requires technology use (i.e. specific assessments, research projects, creation and collaboration)

Used District-Approved Platforms Only

• Use applications approved through the District Software Approval Process

• Access approved tools through ClassLink when applicable

• Avoid using unapproved third-party websites or technology tools

• Resource: 2026-27 Approved Instructional Apps

Technology Platforms for Tiered Interventions

Program, Purpose, Tier 1, 2, or 3

• READ 180, Reading Intervention 6-12, Tier 3

• ALEKS, Math 6-8, Tier 1 and 2

• Egenuity, Content/Credit/Initial Credit 6-12, Tier 1, 2, and 3

• MagicStudent, AI tool for students 6-12

• Mastery Connect, Assessment Tool/Benchmark 2-12

• NoRedInk, Writing 6-8, Tier 1 and 2

• Lexia English, ML Learners, Tier 1 and 2

• Lift (Spark Platform), Secondary MLP Curriculum, Tier 1

AI Use Must Be Approved and Purposeful

• Teachers may NOT assign unapproved AI platforms to students, but only use District-approved AI tools aligned to instructional goals

• Monitor student AI usage carefully and teach ethical and responsible AI use

• Clearly communicate AI expectations & include permitted AI usage information in course syllabi

• Clarify when AI use is permitted or prohibited for assignments

Protect Student Information

Protect student information by using only District-approved technology tools, entering student PII only into approved platforms, limiting shared information to what is necessary, and adhering to all FERPA, COPPA, CIPA, and district data privacy requirements.