1. Basic Philosophy in Grading Practices
The basic philosophy which should guide staff in evaluation of achievement and behavior should include the following principles:
a. Grades are recorded primarily as a means of evaluation and should be sufficient in number to justify the grade reported.
b. The value of grading lies in the desire to help students, parent/guardians, and teachers see how the student is progressing in comparison to pre-established standards.
c. Grades are not intended to be and should not be used as an instrument of punishment for undesirable behavior.
d. Rarely should a student be surprised by the grade he/she receives. Systematically, and often as a given situation requires, the teacher should remind students of the criteria which govern the assignment of these grades and should keep students informed as to their status/progress.
e. Grading standards once established should be followed as closely as possible.
f. Teachers of the same subject or in the same grade in school should grade comparably.
g. Grades should not be affected by short excused absences provided that work and tests are made up. Students shall be given no more than the same number of days absent to make up work and tests.
2. Grading for Special Groups and/or Students with Personal Limitations
Students in remedial programs may have special learning limitations which prevent them from achieving high marks when competing with other students. These students will be considered for "differential standards." Grading on a comparative basis for these students will result, in most instances, in low and failing grades. When performance level can be noted, these students should be graded in terms of effort, as well as academic achievement.
3. Grades to be Used in Subject Areas and Effort
Authorized Grade Meaning of Student Grade Marking
for Report Card Percentage*
A This grade indicates superior achievement. It is 90-100
earned by student doing excellent work.
B This grade indicates above average achievement. 80-89
C This grade indicates average achievement. A 70-79
student of above average ability can meet this
standard quite easily. It is the grade typically
earned by a student of average ability who
consistently makes a good effort. For a student of
below average ability, this grade indicates that he/she
is doing very well in terms of his/her limitations.
D This grade indicates fulfillment of minimum 60-69
requirements required by this course.
F This grade means failure to meet minimum 0-59
requirements.
NG Not graded at this period
I Incomplete. Written explanation is required:
time make-up -- same as number of days absent.
*Based on grade level performance requirements and on comparative classroom data utilizing a combination of tests, written classroom work, oral presentation, homework and other criteria as appropriate.
Grades should be weighted according to the degree of difficulty of the activity, i.e., tests, reports, and assignments.
4. Citizenship Grade
Citizenship grades should be based on the following criteria to help make reasonable, fair, and consistent evaluations and to provide counsel and guidance for students:
Authorized Mark Meaning of Grade
S This mark is for the student who demonstrates
satisfactory conduct but does nothing to distinguish
himself/herself from the ordinary student.
N This mark is for the student who demonstrates
unacceptable conduct. The student needs to improve in
paying attention, relying on self, showing self-control,
obeying school rules, using school property carefully,
or being punctual and regular in attendance. For the
student who seriously interferes with classroom
instruction, is rude to the teacher, classmates, or refuses
to work and shows lack of respect for the teacher.
U Unsatisfactory progress or behavior.
Legal Reference:
EDUCATION CODE
41505-41508 Pupil Retention Block Grant
48070 Promotion and retention
48205 Excused absences
49066 Grades; finalization; physical education class
49067 Mandated regulations regarding student's achievement
49069.5 Students in foster care, grades and credits
CODE OF REGULATIONS, TITLE 5
10060 Criteria for reporting physical education achievement, high schools
UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 20
1232g Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
6101-6251 School-to-Work Opportunities Act of 1994
COURT DECISIONS
Owasso Independent School District v. Falvo (2002) 122 S.Ct. 934
Las Virgenes Educators Association v. Las Virgenes Unified School District (2nd Appellate District 2001) 86 Cal.App.4th 1
Swany v. San Ramon Valley Unified School District (N.D.Cal. 1989) 720 F.Supp. 764
Johnson v. Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board of Education (App. 2 Dist. 1986) 224 Cal. Rptr. 885, 179 C.A. 3d 593
Management Resources:
CDE PUBLICATIONS
Elementary Makes the Grade!, 2001
WEB SITES
Advanced Placement Challenge Project: http://www.apchallenge.net
Policy OAKDALE JOINT UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
adopted: January 11, 2009 Oakdale, California