Grading

Grades K-5 

The Grand Rapids Public Schools will provide a framework for grading that consistently and accurately reports achievement. All grades shall be based on evidence of knowledge and application of grade level and content expectations. 

1. All scholars and staff shall be consistently held to high expectations for scholar learning.
2. The District reserves the right to award partial credit in situations where mastery of content is not certain.
3. Grades shall be based on evidence of knowledge and use of the prescribed standards demonstrated through varied tasks and assessments over time.
4. Grades shall be fair and consistent and a measure of effective teaching and learning.
5. Grades shall provide communication regarding achievement.
6. Procedures for grading shall be supported, monitored, and supervised. 

Grades 6-12 

Grading procedures will be applied consistently. Schools will ensure school level processes, as approved by the school leadership team, for implementing the following procedures:

1. School staff will communicate course-specific grading procedures in writing to scholars and Parent(s)/Guardian(s) at the beginning of each semester.
2. Teachers will only assign homework that is related to the standards.
3. Extra credit can only be used when connected to the standards. If opportunities exist for extra credit, it shall be available to all scholars
4. Teachers will assess scholar learning in a variety of ways over time within a grading period.
5. Grading processes, including weights and proportions, are listed in the syllabi and will be applied consistently within the content area. The processes will be communicated in advance and in writing to scholars and Parent(s)/Guardian(s).
6. In their feedback to scholars, teachers may use letters, numbers, or other symbols for individual tasks/assignments, but must also be descriptive in nature (e.g., what the scholar did well, what the scholar did not do well, and what the scholar could do to improve).
7. Percentages, not letter grades, are to be used to calculate semester (high school) and year-end grades (middle school). Percentages that Gradebook converts to are in parenthesis. 
8. Advanced Placement (AP) classes will follow the same grading scale, but final grades will be weighted as a factor of 1.25 when calculating Grade Point Average and used for valedictorian(s) status.
9. All grading procedures used by specialty programs that are distinctly different from District rating procedures shall be vetted and approved by the Superintendent or designee.
10. A calculated grade may not be lowered with the exception of documented cheating.
11. Due to multi-age design within our Montessori schools, letter grading starts in 7th grade Montessori classrooms.
12. When a teacher has evidence that a scholar demonstrates a higher level of performance than a calculated marking period grade indicates, the teacher, in consultation with and approved by the Principal, may change the grade. Properly documented evidence shall be recorded and secured in accordance with the Michigan Record Retention guidelines.
13. Final exam shall be administered for any course taken for middle school and high school. All scholars will follow the same schedule for each semester. The final exam/assessment should be made up of a sub-set of the material for that particular semester. If a quality exam cannot be completed during the exam period, the department may choose to use a multi-day or alternative plan (such as writing, projects, etc.). When creating multi-day exams, staff should take into consideration the exit date of graduating seniors. If an exam/ assessment is not given in a non-core course, the teacher must have prior approval from the Principal by the interim period (approximately week six (6) for high school and week nine (9) for middle school). 
14. Grading calculation for each semester shall be defined in the syllabus. Exams will be incorporated into the semester/end of the year grade with a 10% value. Final grades for a course will be calculated in the following manner: 90% online calculated grade and 10% from the final assessment. A zero (0) shall be given for an unexcused absence or for cheating.
15. Credit Awarding in High School: Scholars receive credit 1.0 or credit for a full-year course and .5 credit for a semester course (formerly 5.0 credits)
    1. Passing with a grade obtained and noted on the transcript
    2. Incompletes (I) may be given for extenuating circumstances* and, in cases where the scholar, through effort, is showing progress and moving toward completion of the class. A scholar may make up missing common assessments/projects as listed in syllabus within one semester without grade penalty
       • Scholars shall:
         • Get approval from the Principal and teacher
         • Get list of common assessments and projects needed to complete
         • Make up work by the end of the next semester
       • The teacher shall:
         • Grade work
         • Complete grade change paperwork process. 
           
           * Note: Extenuating circumstances may include, but are not limited to, family illness, death of a family member, accident, or family disruption.
16. Credit/No Credit (CR/NC): A scholar may take up to 1.0 credit (with the exception of seminar/advisory) in their high school career as credit/no credit (CR/NC). The scholar shall make application for CR/ NC prior to the start date of the course. The teacher shall continue to award grades, and the scholar may request the letter grade in lieu of CR/NC at the end of the course if they choose. Beginning with the class of 2012, if the scholar accepts the CR/NC status, they shall not be considered for valedictory status. (Note: CR/NC is not part of the scholar’s GPA calculation.) *Refer to Board Policy 7113
17. All teacher/school created assessments will be subject to the school administrator’s approval. The school’s administration is responsible for determining whether the assessment is aligned with the standards and pacing guide included as a part of the syllabus for each course. Upon request, assessments must be provided to the district curriculum department for review
18. All assessments should have a scoring device that assures consistency. This must include a rubric where appropriate. When reassessment is offered, all scholars, regardless of the original grade, may be reassessed if they complete re-teaching and relearning activities as determined by the teacher. When a reassessment is given, the highest grade prevails
19. Principals, department heads, and central office administration shall continually monitor and support staff with the appropriate use of the District’s online Gradebook
20. Teachers will place assignments and grades in the District’s online Gradebook that are accessible to Parent(s)/Guardian(s) and scholars. Posting grades within two to three (2-3) days is a fair guideline for most assignments and grades
21. Testing-out is a high secondary option for every course for scholars enrolled in the Grand Rapids Public Schools. Scholars need to be scheduled for the course and registered with the Curriculum Office. The testing-out window will be offered approximately two (2) weeks after the end of the school year. Testing-out documents may include a paper-pencil portion, but could also include labs, writing, performance, or other forms of assessments. Testing-out must be at 77% or higher of the common assessments. Testing-out earns credit and meets the graduation requirement, but is not a part of the GPA calculation. Testing-out is a full class option only.

Also see Board of Education Policy 8940 & 8940-R

Student Privacy Office – U.S. Department of Education – 400 Maryland Avenue, SW – Washington D.C. 20202-4605