AcADEmIcScOmmON cOrE STATE STANDArDS (ccSS) **NEW**The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) are anchored in college- and career-ready expectations and were designed to ensure all studentsprogress to the college- and career-ready level by the end of high school. They were developed by and for states in a voluntary effort led by theNational Governors Association (NGA) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). Furthermore, they represent a major advance instandards for Mathematics and English Language Arts. They are grounded in evidence about what it takes for high school graduates to be readyfor college and careers and build on the finest state and international standards. They also provide a clear and focused progression of learningfrom kindergarten to high school graduation that will give teachers, administrators, parents and students the information they need for studentsuccess. Essentially, standards matter. When they are set at the college- and career-ready level, as the Common Core State Standards (CCSS)are, they set a clear bar and communicate a set of shared expectations across the system: All students, ready for college and careers, by theend of high school. Ideally, high expectations drive the entire system from states to districts to classrooms towards excellence and increase theoutcomes and opportunities for all students!AcADEmIc INTEGrITyStudents are expected to submit work for evaluation that has been completed solely by that student, unless group assignments have been so designated.Academic integrity is expected at all times. If a student is found cheating on a graded assignment, the student will not receive credit for that assignmentand will face possible disciplinary action. The following actions are considered to be violations of academic integrity:• Using unauthorized materials in a test situation• Receiving unauthorized information on a test• Knowingly giving information from a test situation to another student• Passing on definite answers to questions to someone who has not taken the test• Turning in work for credit that is not the student’s own• Plagiarism• Using electronic devices to provide answers, etc. is prohibitedASSESSmENT AND GrADUATION rEQUIrEmENTSStudents in all <strong>Clayton</strong> <strong>County</strong> High Schools will fall under the guidelines established by the State Board of Education according to the year in which theyenrolled into the ninth grade. Students who enroll from another state must meet the graduation requirements and the state assessment requirementsfor the graduating class they enter. Students who withdraw for more than one year must meet the graduation and state assessment requirements forthe graduating class in which they re-enroll. These students are required to pass the Graduation Assessment that is administered in grade 11 and againin grade 12 if the passing score is not met. This exam assesses the content areas of English/language arts, mathematics, science, social studies andwriting. The tests are given in the summer and during the 12th grade year at specified times. *New graduation requirements related to GeorgiaPerformance Standards and Common Core State Standards went into effect July, 2008.DUAL ENrOLLmENT PrOGrAmS (AccEL/mOWr)These Dual Enrollment Programs offer students in grades 8-12 with the option to begin working toward a college degree while still pursuing ahigh school diploma. These dual enrollment programs enable participants to fulfill high school graduation requirements while earning collegecredits. Contact Dr. Alicia Dunn at 678-817-3124 for more information.GrADE rEPOrTSGrade reports are issued every nine weeks. We encourage parents/guardians to schedule a conference whenever these report cards contain informationexplaining academic deficiencies and areas of growth. Parents/guardians should contact their child’s teacher if there are any questions concerninggrades recorded or information contained on the child’s report card.mAKE-UP WOrK POLIcyAll students are provided an opportunity to make up missed assignments, regardless of the reason for absences. It is the student’s and parent’sresponsibility to make arrangements and/or complete all work within three days of the student’s return to school. Students will presentthe make-up work to the teacher for grading. Grading for the make-up work should be shared with the student within a reasonable period of time, i.e.3-5 days. It is the parent and student’s responsibility, as appropriate, to initiate the make-up work for missed assignments, tests, and class work.Students must assume responsibility for obtaining the required information and making whatever arrangements are necessary with the teacher. Parentsshould assist their child with requests for make-up work and other missed assignments and tests. Long-term suspensions and expulsions are exceptions.Students may arrange alternative times with the teacher for making up work for the mutual convenience of student and teacher. Make-up of tests/quizzesshould normally be done before or after school, not during class. Teachers may assign different work or a different test than that which was originallyassigned to other students. It is critical that parents remain involved in this process to ensure academic success for the student. Long-term assignmentswith preset dates are due on the assigned dates regardless of a student’s previous absence.EXAm EXEmPTIONS – High School<strong>Clayton</strong> <strong>County</strong> <strong>Public</strong> Schools permits the following exam exemptions in the second semester for all grade levels following the guidelines below:• Students passing a course, that does not require an End-of-Course Test (EOCT), shall have the option of exempting a class examination• Students with no office referrals in the class shall have the option of exempting a class examination.• Students that earned a grade of “A” for the second semester grade in the class shall have the option of exempting a class examination and,• Students with perfect attendance and a passing grade in the class shall have the option of exempting a class examinationNumber of exemptions allowed by grade level:• 9th grade - 2 exam exemptions• 10th grade - 3 exam exemptions• 11th grade - 4 exam exemptions• 12th grade - All exams may be exempt.Definitions and Explanations:Consideration for exam exemption shall be on a class-by-class basis. The definition of perfect attendance in a class is defined as:• No absences • No late check-in • No early check-outThere can be no exceptions granted for any reason, no matter how critically important the reason, a second-semester senior who meets the criteriafor exemption but chooses to take the semester examination is worthy of commendation. If that student’s examination grade increases his/her finalgrade, the examination shall be counted. If, however, that student’s examination grade lowers the final average, the examination grade shall not becounted. “Second semester” is the instruction period from January through May of each instructional year.Administrative regulationGrade Systemscode: IHA-r(1)42
Grade Procedures for SchoolsCommunication logs must be maintained by teachers and submitted to the principal to ensure parents have received advanced notification of studentacademic achievement. In addition to communication logs, teachers are required to notify parents prior to assigning final report card grades that are lessthan 70.Parent NotificationPrincipals shall communicate and monitor the implementation of the district’s grade reporting procedures. Teachers shall contact parents once a student’sgrade falls below 75. Parents may receive notification via phone, email, parent conferences, or mail. Written notification to parents is required for studentswho may receive final report card grades less than 70.Accuracy of Grade reportingTeachers are required to accurately maintain student performance grades and attendance. Student grades must be entered weekly on the district’s onlineportal. Teachers who consistently fail to accurately enter appropriate data or follow the Grade and/or Notification procedures will receive documentationof neglect of duties and responsibilities, which may result in further disciplinary actions.Grade WeightsElementaryClasswork 50%Tests 15%Quizzes 15%Projects 15%Homework 5%middleClasswork 45%Tests 15%Quizzes 15%Projects 15%Homework 10%HighClasswork 25%Tests 20%Quizzes 10%Projects 10%Homework 15%Final Exam/EOCT 20%*There are dual EOCT weights: 15% for current high school students and 20% for current middle school students who will enter high school beginningJuly 1, 2011.Alternative grade weights may be approved by the Superintendent or designee for performance-oriented classes, which includes fine arts, career andtechnical agricultural education, world languages, and lab based courses.Determining classwork GradesClasswork must be rigorous and standards-based to demonstrate progress toward content mastery. Performance-based activities are included inclasswork. Expectations for grading classwork must be clearly communicated to students, rubric-based, and posted in classrooms. Written communicationin the form of course syllabi is required for secondary (grades 6-12) level courses. Teachers shall assign a minimum of two classwork grades for everyfive class meetings.Determining Homework GradesHomework can help families become involved in the educational process, communicate high expectations for students, and help students develop selfdiscipline and organizational skills. Homework must be based on content standards and at a level of difficulty that can be completed independently bythe student.Plagiarism/cheatingCheating and plagiarism are considered very serious academic offenses. Principals will establish procedures for plagiarism/cheating. Any student whoplagiarizes or cheats on an assignment and/or test should be referred to the principal’s designee along with the supporting evidence.Grade reportingProgress reports are issued every four and one-half weeks within each nine week grading period. Report cards are issued every nine weeks.Incomplete (I)An “I” refers to incomplete work as a result of extended illness or some circumstance that warrants an extension of time. Incomplete work must be madeup within two (2) weeks; however, the principal has the discretion to extend the deadline based upon individual circumstances.43
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