Grading Policy - McAllen ISD
Grading Policy - McAllen ISD
Grading Policy - McAllen ISD
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EIA (Guidelines) ‐ <strong>Grading</strong><br />
Purpose for <strong>Grading</strong> Guidelines<br />
<strong>McAllen</strong> <strong>ISD</strong> Guidelines for <strong>Grading</strong> – Effective August 2011<br />
Implementing consistent district grading policies and guidelines are important components in the<br />
effectiveness and credibility of our educational system. Student grades serve as (1) a tool to promote<br />
meaningful evaluation of student achievement, (2) to inform students and parents of academic progress,<br />
and (3) to help improve student performance, habits, and practices. The process to determine those<br />
grades should reflect a standard of reliability and validity. <strong>Grading</strong> should be fair, consistent, and<br />
measure the curriculum that has been taught.<br />
Reference to Board <strong>Policy</strong> – EIA Local<br />
The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that each campus or instructional level develops guidelines<br />
for teachers to follow in determining grades for students. These guidelines shall ensure that grading<br />
reflects a student’s relative mastery of an assignment and that a sufficient number of grades are taken to<br />
support the grade average assigned. Guidelines for grading shall be clearly communicated to students and<br />
parents. In accordance with grading guidelines, a student shall be permitted a reasonable opportunity to<br />
redo an assignment or retake a test for which the student received a failing grade.<br />
District Guidelines for <strong>Grading</strong><br />
#1 - Minimum Number of Assessments per <strong>Grading</strong> Period - for all subjects and grade levels<br />
• Major Assessments (per subject) = 3<br />
• Minor Assessments (per subject) = 4<br />
• Total Number of Major and Minor Assessments = 7<br />
• Number of Major & Minor Assessments for Progress Reports (at least 1 being a Major<br />
Assessment) = 3<br />
Elementary Only – Reading / Language Arts and Mathematics grades in elementary will comply with the<br />
district grading guidelines. With Science and Social Studies in elementary, however, a minimum of four<br />
assessments is required per marking period for each subject with at least one being a major assessment.<br />
#2 - “Reasonable opportunity” for retesting:<br />
• All students will be able to substitute the retest grade for the failing grade, but the grade will be<br />
no higher than a 70.<br />
• The student must participate in some form of re-teaching / tutoring prior to the re-test.<br />
• Homework grades and class work grades do not apply.
EIA (Guidelines) ‐ <strong>Grading</strong><br />
#3 - “Reasonable opportunity "to redo or make-up an (major assessment) assignment:<br />
• All students will be given up to 3 additional school days to re-do a failing assignment, but the<br />
grade will be no higher than a 70. A teacher will have the option of assigning an alternative<br />
assignment in lieu of the original. Daily class work and homework do not apply.<br />
• All students will be given 3 additional days to make-up an assignment if late (with a<br />
progressive grade penalty of 10 points per day), and if excused absence/s, given the total<br />
number of absent days (up to 3) to make up an assignment (without penalty). Daily class work<br />
and homework do not apply. In extenuating circumstances with absences, the campus<br />
principal will make a decision on the assignment and make-up days.<br />
#4 - The grade from any assessment administered through the last day of the marking period will be<br />
included in the current marking period. All assessments must be reported to the student prior to the<br />
end of the last day of the marking period.<br />
#5 - Secondary Only - All teachers will provide parents and students with a Syllabi for All Courses.<br />
Components of Syllabi<br />
• One to two pages in Word document (no longer)<br />
• Teacher Name / Class Times<br />
• Course Outline / Timeline<br />
• Books / Materials / Major projects / Suggested readings<br />
• <strong>Grading</strong> Guidelines / Classroom Expectations<br />
• Available tutoring time / conference times<br />
• Teacher e-mail<br />
• Due to Appraiser – early August, posted on School Fusion Page, and copy kept in binder in<br />
office<br />
#6 - Types of Assessments and Weighting<br />
Major Assessment<br />
Minor Assessment<br />
Elementary Middle School High School<br />
Exam<br />
Test<br />
Project<br />
Term Paper<br />
Portfolio<br />
Benchmark<br />
Quiz<br />
Presentation<br />
Journal<br />
Lab<br />
A.R.<br />
60% Exam<br />
Test<br />
Project<br />
Term Paper<br />
Presentation<br />
Portfolio<br />
Benchmark<br />
Lab<br />
30% Quiz<br />
Homework<br />
Class work<br />
Participation<br />
Journal<br />
A.R.<br />
60% Exam<br />
Test<br />
Project<br />
Term Paper<br />
Presentation<br />
Portfolio<br />
Benchmark<br />
40% Quiz<br />
Journal<br />
Lab<br />
Separate Category Daily Class work 10% N/A Homework<br />
Class work<br />
Participation<br />
60%<br />
30%<br />
10%
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