Monitoring Student Progress

Monitoring Student Progress

MCPS uses grades ranging from A (exceptional) to E (failure) to measure student academic progress. Grades are designed to provide the following:

· Meaningful feedback on student achievement

· A formal, precise record of reported achievement

· Clear and timely communication to parents and students

· Consistency within and among schools

The school system’s grading policies are discussed in detail on the MCPS website at www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/info/grading.

The lowest grade that teachers may give to a task or assessment is 50 percent unless they feel that the student did not attempt to meet the basic requirements of the task/assessment. Teachers can also give a zero if a student engaged in academic dishonesty, such as cheating or plagiarism.

MCPS differentiates between due dates and deadlines. Work turned in after the due date and by the deadline may be lowered no more than one letter grade or 10 percent of the grade. Work submitted after the deadline will be recorded as a zero.

Teachers cannot award extra credit.

Montgomery County Public Schools has implemented many ways for parents to actively monitor their children’s academic performance throughout the school year. These include:

· ParentVue portal

· Contacting the teacher with questions and concerns

· Parent/teacher conferences

· Report cards

· Shadowing the student

ParentVue

Parents and students can monitor grades on an on-going basis using ParentVue. Parents set up an account on the portal using the activation information provided in a letter mailed home. Once the account is set up, parents can establish an “observer” account. Accessing this account allows the parent to see their child’s current and historical grades, attendance records, and schedule. The portal can also be used to update emergency contact information.

The portal address can be accessed through the Eastern Middle School website at:

Eastern’s media specialist, Ms. Christina Hughes, can help with problems relating to the parent portal. Her email is: christina_n_hughes@mcpsmd.org.

Questions and Concerns

Parents are urged to actively pursue questions or concerns they may have regarding their child’s education. Eastern Middle School’s policy is that the first point of contact should be the relevant teacher. Email is the most efficient means of communicating, as teachers are generally not able to take phone calls during the school day. Teacher email addresses are available on Eastern’s website at:

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/easternms/staff/directory.aspx

If parents continue to have concerns after talking to the teacher, they should contact the team leader to discuss the matter.

Parent/Teacher Conferences

In middle school, parent/teacher conferences are generally reserved for parents with specific concerns. Parent/teacher conferences are scheduled in the fall on a drop-in basis for all classes; however, conferences with teachers in the Humanities and Communication Magnet Program must be scheduled in advance.

Parents are always welcome to meet with their child’s teacher or with the entire team of their child’s teachers to discuss concerns or ways to help their child achieve success. Appointments with one teacher should be made directly with that teacher; appointments with the team should be made through the team leader.

Report Cards

MCPS issues report cards four times per school year. The report cards are handed out in homeroom after marking periods 1, 2, and 3. Report cards are mailed home after marking period 4.

Shadowing the Student

Parents are welcome to visit the school and “shadow” their child as he/she goes about the school day. Appointments to shadow students must be made in advance through the team leader.