Grading Practices

Elementary students are graded based on their level of proficiency with the Arizona Academic Standards. Rather than a letter grade or percentages, students in kindergarten-fifth grade will receive a numerical score of 1-4.  Grades for scholars in kindergarten-5th grade will reflect the scholar's understanding and demonstration of proficiency on academic standards, not effort, compliance, or work completion.

All grades will be kept within Canvas and accessible for parents to view. This is with the understanding that grades recorded throughout the quarter may not factor into the quarterly grade since quarter grades, as posted on report cards, must reflect the scholar's proficiency at the end of the quarter rather than the body of work leading up to the end of the quarter.

To maintain consistency, it is essential we use the numerical grading scale reliably. Some examples to guide your grading practices are as follows:

• A student who has mastered the standard will earn a 3 on the quarterly report card regardless of when during the quarter the standard was mastered.

  • • Scores in Canvas can be designated to not factor into the quarter grade. These grades are still visible to families as scores on the assignments and are important data points for communication.

• A student who does not yet have the pre-requisite skills to approach the standard at grade level will earn a 1, even if they are showing tremendous growth during small group instruction.

• A student who has mastered the standard, but rarely completes assigned work will earn a 3 based on their proficiency.

• A student who is independently reading below grade level will earn either a 2 or a 1 on their quarterly report card depending on their readiness to read at grade level.

• Not all assignments or assessments will have the opportunity for students to earn a 4.

• Please help families understand that Canvas will calculate grades as percentages (ie: a score of 3/4 will refelct as a 75%, which many families will equate as a C). Please help them understand that a standards-based score of a 3 is actually demonstrating proficiency, or a grade simliar to an A.

Commitments

• Use Canvas to record scores on student work, keeping in mind scores do not have to contribute to the quarterly grade.

• Assess work based on proficiency, not completion.

• Ensure grades on quarterly report cards accurately reflect the scholar's proficiency on the grade-level standard.

• Communicate student progress with families and scholars regularly with the intention of being proactive if students are not meeting grade-level expectations.

• Also communicate the meaning of the standards based grades of 1-4, and encourage famliies to regularly check their scholar's progress in Canvas.