(General Information)

Grading Policy

In assigning grades to student work and in evaluating student performance the following guidelines will be followed:

• Teachers evaluate student progress frequently and use a variety of methods including tests, projects, homework, classwork and class participation.

• A minimum of one graded activity per week for each subject taught that week is the goal.

• Grades on tests, homework, and class work may be in a numerical or letter format.  Teachers may also reward student performance on papers with the use of check marks, stickers, smiley faces, etc.

• Not all work completed by a student carries the same weight.  Teachers develop a plan for grading class work, projects, tests, and homework.  Some student work, such as major tests, carries more weight in the averaging of grades for the end of the marking period.

• Teachers use the evaluation process (grading) as a diagnostic tool for identifying skills mastered and skills requiring re-teaching as well as for assigning grades for subjects taught.  On class work, homework and tests, children are required to write all answers in complete sentences unless directed otherwise by the teacher.  This is an important goal and students begin to work on this important skill even in kindergarten.

• Grades reflect student achievement (how much of the material has been mastered by the student) not ability, conduct, or work habits.  Areas such as handwriting, neatness, and conduct are evaluated separately and are not used in deriving a grade for subject content.

• Grades are not recorded with a plus or minus on the report card.

• Teachers inform parents of students= progress at least once every four and a half weeks, either by an interim progress report or the report card.

• Teachers will not assign a grade of zero to student work.  The zero grade will be used to reflect non-performance of an academic responsibility only.  Assignments turned in beyond the prescribed deadline will result in a zero.  It will not be used for work where the student=s name is missing.  

• Grades reflect individual and honest effort.  Therefore, students who cheat will receive a grade of zero and possible disciplinary action.

  Grading Scale