Grading Policy

Grading Policy (BP 5121.11)

Each teacher must have a grading policy and that policy must be clearly communicated to students and parents through the Course Information Form. Grades are earned by students and should be based on an evaluation of a student’s academic progress. It is the student’s responsibility to complete all class work assigned. Students whose absence is excused shall be allowed makeup privileges. Responsibility for requesting makeup work lies with the student.

The following standards for grades should apply

A - Excellent

B - Above Average

C - Satisfactory

D - Below Average

F - Failure

NM - No Mark

INC - Incomplete

  1. Grades should be based on performance in a variety of learning experiences (e.g., daily assignments; classroom participation; homework; quizzes; unit; mid-term or final tests; term papers; projects, etc.).

  2. Participation in classroom activities should be included in the grading process.

  3. Cooperative group projects shall reflect individual student performance for work completed, not a composite grade for the entire group.

  4. The relative weight of assignments should be clearly stated.

  5. Failure on any single assignment should not cause failure in the class. Large projects, such as term papers or notebooks, may be treated as multiple assignments when graded in increments.

  6. Each student enrolled in the class should have the opportunity to earn an “A” grade.

  7. Alternative assignments may be made available for students in special circumstances or with special needs.

  8. At the 7-12 level, the final grade should reflect student progress for the entire semester.

  9. An academic core common final will count in the semester grade at least the equivalent of a major examination.

Requirements for Student Computer Generated Work

  1. Teachers should neither penalize nor reward a student for having access to a personal computer at home.

  2. Students are not to be prohibited from or penalized for, the use of a computer on school assignments, including homework.

  3. Students are not to be required to use a computer or be given extra credit for doing so except in those computer classes in which students have  access to a school computer.

  4. Students may use a school computer to complete assignments in supervised areas such as the library or computer lab/classroom during non-instructional times.

ADOPTED: February 18, 1992

REVISED: May 10, 1999

January 18, 2000

Marking Periods, Progress Reporting, and Notification of Parents or Guardians of Students in Danger of Failing, K-12 (BP 5125)

Marking Periods

The formal marking or grading intervals at which report cards are issued or conferences held are as follows:

Full-year or two semester courses or subjects--9th, 18th, 27th, and 36th week.
Half-year or one semester courses or subjects--9th and 18th week.
One quarter courses or subjects--9th week.

Progress Reports

  • A written progress report shall be sent at or near the mid-point of each marking period to the parents or guardians of pupils in danger of receiving a failing grade at the completion of that marking period.

  • The progress report shall notify the parents or guardians of the pupil’s current grade and the reasons the pupil is failing or in danger of doing so.

  • No pupil shall be given an “F” grade or its equivalent if a progress report has not been issued in time for remedial action.

  • Notification of Parents or Guardians of Students in Danger of Failing

  • At any time prior to or following the issuance of the written mandatory progress reports, parents or guardians must be notified either at a conference or with a written report if their child is in danger of failing a course or subject.

  • The report cards or grading conferences at the regularly designated marking periods and the written mandatory progress reports issued at the mid-point of the marking periods shall also be considered formal notification of parents or guardians of pupils in danger of failing.

  • The determination of possible failure should be based upon a reasonable body of classroom work including examinations.

  • Failure of a parent or guardian to respond either to the mandatory progress report or the notification of possible failure does not preclude failure of the pupil.