Grading Policy

NEWS FROM THE DISTRICT REGARDING

School Closure Grading FAQs

How will Grade Point Averages (GPA) be calculated, particularly for determining Rank in Class (RIC), Valedictorian, Salutatorian, and Top 10%?

Grades through the fourth six-week period of school, which ended February 14, 2020, will be used to determine GPA. The fifth six-week grading period began February 19 and was scheduled to end April 3. No work or assignments graded during the fifth six-week period will be counted toward GPA. The year-end GPA/RIC will be calculated as follows:

75% First Semester Average

25% Fourth Six-Weeks Grading Period

How will teachers determine proficiency of course content for second-semester courses?

Students were in the fifth six-week grading period when schools closed. Teachers will determine proficiency based on completed assignments in the fifth six-week grading period, grades from the fourth six-week grading period (which have already been recorded in Home Access Center), and at-home learning experiences provided by teachers beginning Monday, April 6, 2020. Transcripts will reflect either a P (Passing-Demonstration of Proficiency) or I (Incomplete).

What about work that was not yet completed prior to Spring Break?

Any assignments still outstanding as of Friday, March 13, 2020, may still be collected and assessed by teachers on a pass/fail basis.

What if my student had a failing grade in a previous six-week grading period?

Students will be provided an opportunity to improve any failing six-weeks average from this school year up to a score of 70.

What if my student failed the first semester of a year-long course?

Students must receive at least a 70 in the first semester and a P in the second semester to receive full credit. As noted above, there will be opportunities provided to increase a first-semester grade. As in regular school years, each semester can stand alone as a 0.5 credit.

How will middle school grades be calculated?

Middle school grade calculation will mirror the high school approach. Teachers will determine proficiency for the remainder of the year based on completed assignments in the fifth six-week grading period, grades from the fourth six-week grading period (which have already been recorded in Home Access Center), and at-home learning experiences provided by teachers beginning Monday, April 6, 2020. Report cards will reflect either a P (Passing-Demonstration of Proficiency) or I (Incomplete).

Students will also be provided an opportunity to improve any failing six-week average from this school year up to a score of 70.

Additionally, during the at-home learning experience, teachers will use collected student work samples and responses to teacher feedback provided to determine “Pass” or “Incomplete” weekly. This data will influence promotion decisions by a campus committee.

How will grades be calculated for elementary students in grades 3-5?

Elementary schools operate on a nine-week grading period calendar, and students had completed the first week of the fourth and final nine-week grading period as Spring Break began. For the final nine-week grading period, students will be given either a P (Passed-Demonstrated Proficiency) or I (Incomplete.) Teachers will use student work samples and student responses to teacher feedback to make their determinations.

How will schools determine grade promotion in grades 3-5?

Promotion will be determined based on grades in the first three quarters (nine-week grading periods) of the 2019-2020 school year. Students must have earned an overall average of 70 in all subject areas and a grade of 70 or above in both math and language arts and either social studies or science. Additionally, during the at-home Learning experience, teachers will use collected student work samples and responses to teacher feedback provided to determine “Pass” or “Incomplete” weekly. This data will influence promotion decisions by a campus committee.

How will grades for students in pre-kindergarten through second grade be determined?

Teachers will use collected student work samples and responses to teacher feedback to report student progress using the existing report card scale.

How will schools determine grade promotion for students in pre-kindergarten through second grade?

Promotion standards remain the same as teachers will still be determining progress using the existing report card scale. There is no promotion criteria for pre-kindergarten.

How will I know if my student in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade is on track with the curriculum from now until the end of the year?

Teachers will make every effort to communicate with parents on student progress and to ensure their experience with at-home learning is positive, effective and enriching.

More questions?

If you still have questions about your student’s grades. Please contact your campus administration.

Redo/Retake

According to District Policy (EIA Local), “a classroom teacher shall provide students a reasonable and fair opportunity to retake or redo failing work.” In our elementary schools, the focus is on reteaching to provide the student an opportunity to learn the objective and demonstrate an understanding of the concept. This reteaching will occur within 10 days, and corrections may be made to improve a grade up to a 70%.

Number of Grades per Quarter

District Policy (EIA Local) states that grading guidelines shall ensure that grades reflect a student’s relative mastery of an assignment and that a sufficient number of grades are taken to support the grade average assigned. Elementary teachers will take a minimum of seven grades each quarter in each core content area (reading, writing, math, science, social studies).

Grading Categories

Classwork/Daily Grades 70%

Assessments 30%

*Homework 10%

When calculating a nine-week average for a content area, no single grade will count more than 30% of the total average. No two grades will count more than 50% of the total average. *Each grade level 3rd - 5th has a different homework policy.

Late Work

Our goal is for students to learn concepts being presented in class, regardless of the work being late. A deduction for late work may be given but will not exceed 10 points. The focus will be on finding ways to support students in being successful in work completion.

Specials Classes

Teachers in art, music and physical education report student progress on the report card using the following terms.

E Excellent

S Satisfactory

N Needs improvement

U Unsatisfactory

Progress Reports/Conferences

A progress report will be sent home during the fourth week of each quarter if a student is not passing. A teacher shall request a conference with a student’s parents at the end of a nine-week period if the student’s grades are not passing. Parents and teachers may request a conference at any other time for other academic or behavioral concerns. Parents are able to view grades at any time through the Home Access Center.