Williamsville Central School District

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Grading

Adoption Date: 7/7/2009
7000 - Students

7212 GRADING SYSTEMS

Grading is considered a positive tool to indicate achievement of the content and performance standards in each class or subject in which a student is enrolled. The Board of Education recognizes that the classroom teacher has the primary responsibility to evaluate students and determine student grades.

The District will utilize a uniform grading system. Classroom teachers will evaluate students and assign grades according to the established system.

It is to be recognized that a student is an individual with his/her own abilities and capabilities. It is also recognized that an individual is part of a society which is achievement-oriented and competitive in nature. Hence, when a student's achievement is evaluated, attention should be given to his/her unique characteristics and to accepted standards of performance in the educational setting.

Grading will be based upon student achievement of course content and performance standards, including participation in classroom discussions and activities. Parent(s)/Guardian(s) will be informed regularly, at least four times a year, of their child's progress. The use of marks and symbols will be appropriately explained.

School attendance and class participation are related to and affect a student's performance and grasp of the subject matter and, as such, are properly reflected in a student's final grade. Classroom participation means that a student is in class and prepared to work.

Consequently, for each marking period, a certain percentage of a student's final grade could be based on classroom participation as well as the student's performance on homework, tests, papers, etc. as determined by the building administrator and/or classroom teacher. Grading will not be used for disciplinary purposes, i.e., reducing a grade for an unexcused absence, although a lower grade can be given for failure to complete assigned work or for lack of class participation. Students are expected to attend all classes.

All students are expected to complete the assigned class work and homework as directed. Students are also expected to participate meaningfully in class discussions and activities in order to receive course credit. If work is missed due to absence, the student is expected to make up the work. The student and/or the student's parent(s) or guardian(s) should discuss with the student's teacher an appropriate means of making up the missed work. With the possible exception of absences intended by the student as a means of gaining an unfair academic advantage (e.g., to secure more time to study for a test), every effort will be made to provide students with the opportunity and assistance to make up all work missed as a result of absence from class.

The professional judgment of the teacher should be respected. Once a grade is assigned to a student by a teacher, the grade may only be changed by a District administrator following a meeting with the teacher to review the reasons for the original grade. If a grade is changed by an administrator, he/she shall notify the teacher of the reason for the change and be prepared to report to the Superintendent of Schools.

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