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What is Target-Based Grading compared to a traditional grading system?
A traditional grading approach looks at the accumulation of points over a period of time, compared to a target-based grading approach, where each learning target is assessed per a consistent proficiency scale (see below) based on the collection of student evidence.
When will my student receive a letter grade?
Students in ninth through twelfth grades will continue to receive a letter grade. All students will receive a nine-week progress report and an official report card at the end of each 18-week grading period. The 18-week grade serves as the official grade on a student's transcript. Finally, 18-week letter grades and GPA will still be calculated and communicated on the student’s transcript.
How will my student’s extracurricular eligibility be determined?
Students involved in extracurricular activities will have their grades and Work & People Skills reviewed at identified check-points. These check-points are set at the following weeks throughout the school calendar: 3 (Only WPS Scores), 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, and 36. Students with one or more failing grades and/or two or more Work & People Skills scores of one (1) from two different teachers at any checkpoint will be ineligible until the next checkpoint. (Please see chart below.)
Where will I be able to find my student’s progress grades throughout the semester?
Infinite Campus will be the only tool used to track and report grades for all students in grades 6-12. Schoology will still be utilized for learning activities and feedback.
How can I see how my student is progressing?
Parents and students have access to evidence of student learning via our student information system, Infinite Campus.
Can my student retake a summative assessment?
Yes. A summative assessment can be retaken to allow a student to demonstrate his/her learning and improvement. Students may reassess on target(s) after they have demonstrated new evidence of learning on that target and completed any other reassessment requirements communicated by the teacher. Limits will be placed on the timeframe and number of opportunities for reassessments.
How will letter grades be determined?
An average of the most recent proficiency score for each target in the course will be used to determine the overall course grade. The letter grade will be determined based upon the following conversion scale:
An average of the most recent proficiency score for each target in the course will be used to determine the overall course grade. The letter grade will be determined based upon the following conversion scale:
My student normally earns As and Bs and right now his/her score is a ¨2¨. Does this mean my student is not doing well in his/her class?
No. A score of a ¨2¨ means your student is partially demonstrating proficiency on a target. Encourage your student to review feedback teachers have provided. Your student should then use this information to review and revise work in order to fully demonstrate proficiency on a target.. (Score of 3)
Why is a 2 equivalent to a “D?”
One learning target, and one score in the gradebook highlights a moment in time that indicates your student can improve on that learning target. We have 18 weeks to collect evidence based on “all” the learning targets throughout the semester which is a better indication of what your student knows and does not know. The focus is on the learning, rather than the grade.
Can my student’s WASD Learning Target score or Work and People Skills score change?
Yes. Scores will be updated based on the most recent evidence collected per WASD Learning Target or Work and People Skill.
Is my student's current grade a reflection of what his/her grade will be at the end of the semester?
Not necessarily. At this point in the school year, teachers have scored some but not nearly all the targets for the semester. Therefore, when you average your student's scores, there are less scores to average. However, by the end of the semester you will have all the scored targets to calculate into your student's overall score. Your student's current grades are a reflection of his/her most recent scores on current targets scored at that point in the school year.
There are several targets to look at under each class on the Parent Portal. What is the easiest way to read this information and understand how my student is progressing?
Focus on one class at a time! Review scores on each target with your student and ask what feedback they have received to grow on that target. For some classes, your student can show you the feedback on their Schoology page.
Why are Work and People Skills and WASD Learning Targets communicated separately?
Reporting Work and People Skills scores separately from WASD Learning Targets allows teachers to identify and address specific behavior issues that may impact student learning. The fundamental belief is that academic grades should only communicate student achievement at that moment in time.
How will my students be honored for academic success?
Students will be recognized for academic excellence using the Laude System. You can find more information on the Laude System in the high school course and student handbooks.
Will there be Valedictorian and Salutatorian?
Yes, Valedictorian will be the student with the highest GPA at the end of the seventh semester. The Salutatorian will be the student with the second-highest GPA and/or is positioned 2nd after the Tiebreaker Procedure at the end of the seventh semester.
When will the Laude System go into effect at WHS?
We will begin the Laude system for the Class of 2024.
What are the Laude Distinctions within the Laude System?
Students can earn the distinction of Cum Laude - “with honor”, Magna Cum Laude - “with great honor”, or Summa Cum Laude - “with highest honor”.
Even though class rank is no longer reported, will it be available upon request?
No, class rank will no longer be available.
How will my student’s GPA be impacted during this transition?
The Class of 2023’s GPA will not be impacted during this transition. The Classes of 2024 and beyond, all grades will be converted to the new scale and a cumulative GPA will be calculated using the new grading scale.
Please contact the high school principals with any questions.
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