Grading
GRADEBOOKS
It is important to remember that gradebooks are public records not a teacher's personal property. At any time someone other than the teacher may have to review and interpret a student's grades. Grades my be recorded in a standard gradebook or a notebook of computer printouts. All of us have our own system of organization, but there are certain requirements:
1. Each gradebook must be labeled on the outside - teacher and year.
2. Each course, class period, and grading period must be clearly indicated.
3. Each grade must be labeled and dated. There must be an indication of what percentage a grade is of the total nine weeks grade. A key can be shown for each class. For example, daily grades in green and equal 50% of nine weeks grade.
4. Absences and tardies must be indicated.
5. Grade books will be kept secure and students (including aides) will not have access to the gradebook or passwords for on-line grading.
6. Students and parents will have access to grades via an on-line grade program.
GRADE REPORTING
Specific instructions are given each year for completing all computer sheets related to grade reporting. If you have any questions see the person to whom you are to return the form. It is important to be prompt with these deadlines. Often the school must have all forms in order to meet deadlines. Be accurate.
All teachers must report grades on progress reports at mid-quarter and on report cards at the nine week and semester grading periods.
GRADE NOTIFICATION
The District has requested that we notify parents by mail if a student is failing a class at mid-nine weeks which corresponds with our Progress Report time. Please bubble in a District Grade Deficiency sheet for any student who has a F when you are computing your Progress Reports. These will be mailed by the District to the parents and will ensure that the family will be officially notified of the student's grade.
If a student's grade is passing at Progress Report time but drops to a failing grade between the seventh and ninth week, you are required to notify the parents either by phone or mail. If this is not done, a failing grade can be contested by the parents.
FINALS
It is acceptable to give finals and maintain the middle school concept as long as you follow these guidelines:
1. Students should be tested over a reasonable amount of material. Middle school students generally do better with shorter, more frequent tests.
2. Students should be tested in a manner similar to how they were taught. Using a new test format for the final may end up being a test of procedure rather than content or process learned.
3. The test cannot be weighted more than 10% of the final semester grade.
4. Alternative assessment strategies are numerous and very appropriate for finals as long as the students have previously experienced the format.
(Updated 7-04)
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