The Superintendent or designee shall inform teachers of the district's policy regarding grading, including expectations that grades shall be based on factors that directly measure students' knowledge and skills in the content area and shall not include nonacademic factors.
Report cards displaying students' grades in each subject or course shall be distributed to parents/guardians at the end of each grading period. Parents/guardians shall be offered an opportunity to meet with their child's teacher(s) to discuss the grades and strategies to improve their child's performance.
(cf. 6020 - Parent Involvement)
Whenever it becomes evident to a teacher that a student is in danger of failing a course, the teacher shall arrange a conference with the student's parent/guardian or send the parent/guardian a written report. (Education Code 49067)
(cf. 5123 - Promotion/Acceleration/Retention)
Achievement
For grades TK/K, students' level of progress (grading scale) shall be reported as follows:
4 Mastery of Grade Level Concepts/Skills
3 Proficient/Adequate Understanding
2 Developing Understanding
1 Minimal Understanding
0 No Evidence of Understanding
N/A Not Yet Introduced or Assessed
For grades TK-5, students' level of progress (Effort Grading Scale) shall be reported as follows:
E Excellent
G Good
S Satisfactory
N Needs Improvement
U Unsatisfactory
For grades 1-5, the Standards Grading Scale shall be reported as follows:
4 Mastery of Grade Level Concepts/Skills
3 Proficient/Adequate Understanding
2 Developing Understanding
1 Minimal Understanding
0 No Evidence of Understanding
N/A Not Yet Introduced or Assessed
For grades 1-8, grades for achievement (Academic Grading Scale) shall be reported as follows:
A-- Exemplary Progress
Student's academic performance significantly and consistently demonstrates knowledge, application, and extension of standards taught during this grading period
Range (90-100%) 4.0 grade point
B-- Above Average Progress
Student's academic performance consistently demonstrates knowledge and application of standards taught during this grading period
Range (80-89%) 3.0 grade point
C-- Satisfactory Progress
Student's academic performance meets grade level standards taught during this grading period
Range (70-79%) 2.0 grade point
D-- Partial Progress
Student's academic progress indicates partial mastery of grade level standards taught during this grading period. Progress indicates student may not achieve total mastery by the end of the year.
Range (60-69%) 1.0 grade point
F-- Insufficient Progress
Student's academic progress is significantly below grade level and shows little growth in meeting standards. Academic performance needs improvement and student may be at risk of retention
Range (0-59%) 0 grade point
I-- Incomplete
An Incomplete shall be given only when a student's work is not finished by the end of the grading period because of illness or other excused absence. If not made up within six weeks, the Incomplete may become an F.
Grades for Physical Education
No grade of a student participating in a physical education class may be adversely affected due to the fact that the student, because of circumstances beyond his/her control, does not wear standardized physical education apparel. (Education Code 49066)
(cf. 6142.7 - Physical Education and Activity)
Grades for Citizenship and Effort
Grades for citizenship and effort shall be reported separately each grading period as follows:
TK-5
E- Excellent
G- Good
S- Satisfactory
N- Needs Improvement
U- Unsatisfactory
6-8
A- Outstanding
B- Above Average
C- Satisfactory
D- Needs Improvement
F- Unsatisfactory
Criteria for determining citizenship grades may include, but are not limited to:
* Student obeys school and classroom rules
* Student respects personal and public property
* Student maintains courteous, cooperative relations with staff and students
* Student works without disturbing others
* Student is responsible, trustworthy, respectful, fair, caring, and a good citizen
Citizenship and effort are not calculated as part of the student's academic grade point average.
Pass/Fail Grading
The Superintendent or designee may identify courses or programs for which students may, with parent/guardian permission, elect to earn a Pass or Fail grade instead of a letter grade.
Students who receive a Pass grade shall acquire the appropriate semester units of credit for the course. The grade shall not be counted in determining class rank, honors list, or membership in the California Scholarship Federation. Students who receive a Fail grade shall not receive credit for taking the course.
Peer Grading
At their discretion, teachers may use peer grading of student tests, papers, and assignments as appropriate to reinforce lessons.
Repeating Classes
With the approval of the principal or designee, a student may repeat a course in order to raise his/her grade. Both grades received shall be entered on the student's transcript, but the student shall receive credit only once for taking the course. The highest grade received shall be used in determining the student's overall grade point average (GPA).
Withdrawal from Classes
A student who drops a course during the first six weeks of the grading period may do so without any entry on his/her permanent record card. A student who drops a course after the first six weeks of the grading period shall receive an F grade on his/her permanent record, unless otherwise decided by the principal or designee because of extenuating circumstances.
Effect of Absences on Grades
Grades for a student in foster care shall not be lowered if the student is absent for any reason specified in Education Code 49069.5.
(cf. 6173.1 - Education for Foster Youth)
Grade Point Average
The Superintendent or designee shall calculate each student's GPA using the grade point assigned to each letter grade in accordance with the scale described in the section "Grades for Academic Performance" above. The grade points for all applicable coursework shall be totaled and divided by the number of courses completed. Pass/Fail grades shall not be included in the determination of a student's GPA.
(cf. 5126 - Awards for Achievement)
(cf. 6145 - Extracurricular and Cocurricular Activities)
When plus and minus designations are added to letter grades, they shall not be considered in determining GPA.
Regulation LANCASTER SCHOOL DISTRICT
approved: September 6, 2016 Lancaster, California