23-24 Grading & Reporting Manual Review

Review the core beliefs (pg 9), our purpose (pg 10), and the guiding practices (pg 10). Which of the following is NOT true?

• Grades should be equitable: The same work, completed in two different classrooms, should receive the same grade.

• Grades will be based on a body of evidence & marking-period grades will be based solely on achievement of course or grade-level standards.

• Students will have unlimited opportunities to demonstrate proficiency.

• Every student will be successful when provided high expectations and sufficient, appropriate supports.

Answer explanation

Students will have MULTIPLE, not unlimited, opportunities to demonstrate proficiency.

Guiding Practice #1 states, "Grading practices must be supportive of student learning." Review Guiding Practice #1 (pg 11-14). Which of the following ARE recommended practice(s)? (select all that apply)

• Co-constructing success criteria with the students (students need to know what success looks like).

• Giving feedback only in the form of a score or a grade.

• Giving timely, descriptive feedback that communicates where the student is in relation to the learning goal and what the student needs to do next to reach the goal.

• Entering grades into the grade book in the learning management system in a timely manner so students have time to reflect on and improve their grade prior to the end of the marking period.

Answer explanation

Rather than giving feedback only in the form of a score or grade, teachers should give timely, descriptive feedback that communicates where the student is in relation to the learning goal and what the student needs to do next to reach the goal.

Guiding Practice #2 states, "Marking period grades will be based solely on achievement of course and grade-level standards. Classroom conduct, work completion, and ability to work with others will be reported separately using the the BCPS Skills and Conduct Indicators." Review Guiding Practice #2 (pg 15-18). Which of the following are NOT recommended practice(s)? (select all that apply)

• Giving points as part of an achievement grade for behavior, neatness, signed papers, extra supplies, and meeting deadlines.

• Giving points for attending an after- school performance, musical, or art show.

• Completing the BCPS Skills and Conduct Indicators ratings based on observations and anecdotal records.

• Providing positive reinforcement and ongoing descriptive feedback on classroom conduct, work completion, and ability to work effectively with adults and peers. Implementing the standards of the Student Handbook as appropriate.

Answer explanation

Marking period grades will be based solely on achievement of course and grade-level standards. Classroom conduct, work completion, and ability to work with others will be reported separately using the BCPS Skills and Conduct Indicators.

Guiding Practice #3 states, "GUIDING PRACTICE 3: Students will have multiple opportunities to demonstrate proficiency." Review Guiding Practice #3 (pg 19-22). Is the following information TRUE or FALSE?

When a teacher identifies an opportunity for reassessment, ALL students should have opportunities to demonstrate greater understanding, regardless of the grade on the original assessment, if they meet the following requirements:

• Completed the original assessment.

• Completed required assignments.

• Completed reteaching/relearning activities, as determined by the teacher.

Reassessments may occur partially, entirely, or in a different format, as determined by the teacher. The teacher will work with the student to schedule the best time for reteaching and reassessment. Generally, this will occur during the school day.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

When a teacher identifies an opportunity for reassessment, ALL students should have opportunities to demonstrate greater understanding, regardless of the grade on the original assessment, if they meet the following requirements:

• Completed the original assessment.

• Completed required assignments.

• Completed reteaching/relearning activities, as determined by the teacher.

Reassessments may occur partially, entirely, or in a different format, as determined by the teacher. The teacher will work with the student to schedule the best time for reteaching and reassessment. Generally, this will occur during the school day.

Guiding Practice #4 states, "Grades will be based on a body of evidence." Review Guiding Practice #4 (pg 23-28). Select the response that correctly fills in the blanks.

To ensure all the grades assigned to students are equitable, accurate, and meaningful, all marking period grades and scores assigned to students should be defensible through a collected ____ of evidence aligned to course standards. ____-assessments should determine what students know and can do in order to plan instruction. ____ assessments are used to evaluate student learning at the end of a specific instructional period. ____ assessment is an ongoing process that occurs during instruction. Scores and grades entered in Schoology need to be current and allow students time to reflect on and improve their grade prior to the end of the marking period. For classes that meet two or more times during the week, graded and/or practice assignments need to be updated at least every ____ weeks.

• body, pre, formative, summative, one

• body, pre, formative, summative, two

• body, pre, summative, formative, one

• body, pre, summative, formative, two

Answer explanation

To ensure all the grades assigned to students are equitable, accurate, and meaningful, all marking period grades and scores assigned to students should be defensible through a collected BODY of evidence aligned to course standards. PRE-assessments should determine what students know and can do in order to plan instruction. SUMMATIVE assessments are used to evaluate student learning at the end of a specific instructional period. FORMATIVE assessment is an ongoing process that occurs during instruction. Scores and grades entered in Schoology need to be current and allow students time to reflect on and improve their grade prior to the end of the marking period. For classes that meet two or more times during the week, graded and/or practice assignments need to be updated AT LEAST every TWO weeks.

Guiding Practice #5 states, "A consistent grading scale will be used to score assignments and assessments in the learning management system." Review Guiding Practice #5 (pg 29-32). Which of the following ARE true regarding the Lowest Score (LS)? (select all that apply)

• Lowest Score (LS) code calculates as 50% of the total possible points.

• This code may be used when a student attempts a task and earns below 50% of the total points possible.

• An attempted assignment should show a REASONABLE EFFORT on the part of the student.

• If no attempt is made on an assignment or an assignment is not submitted, LS should NOT be used. Instead, the Missing (M) code can be used. Missing is calculated a 0%.

Answer explanation

Lowest Score (LS) code calculates as 50% of the total possible points. This code may be used when a student attempts a task and earns below 50% of the total points possible. An attempted assignment should show a reasonable effort on the part of the student. Assignments that do not show a reasonable effort can be marked as Incomplete (I). If no attempt is made on an assignment or an assignment is not submitted, the Missing (M) code can be used. Missing is calculated as a 0%.

Guiding Practice #5 states, "A consistent grading scale will be used to score assignments and assessments in the learning management system." Review Guiding Practice #5 (pg 29-32). Which of the following is INCORRECT?

• Lowest Score (LS) = 50% of the total possible points.

• Missing (M) = 0% of the total possible points.

• Excused (E) has no impact on the calculated grade.

• Incomplete (I) = 0% of the total possible points.

Answer explanation

Incomplete (I) code has no impact on the overall calculated grade. It has the same impact as the EXCUSED (E) code. This code may be used when a student is absent, has attempted, but not completed the assignment with a reasonable effort, or used as a place holder if a student has not completed an assignment.

Guiding Practice #5 states, "A consistent grading scale will be used to score assignments and assessments in the learning management system." Review Guiding Practice #5 (pg 29-32). Fill in the blank.

The point value of an assignment or assessment should reflect the relative instructional ____ spent on the task.

Answer explanation

The point value of an assignment or assessment should reflect the relative instructional TIME spent on the task.

Review the "Department Team Responsibilities" (pg 35). Which of the following ARE true? (select all that apply)

• The assignments, presentations, products, observations, and assessments used to determine a student’s level of performance in relation to grade-level standards need to be consistent for the same course.

• Due dates, deadlines, and late work procedures need to be consistent for the same course.

• The categorization and weighting of points for assignments in the learning management system need to be consistent for the same course.

Answer explanation

Department teams are responsible for reviewing and implementing the expectation established by curriculum content offices and collaborating to establish general consistency among the following:

• The assignments, presentations, products, observations, and assessments used to determine a student’s level of performance in relation to grade-level standards.

• The categorization and weighting of points for assignments in the learning management system. Not all categories will be the same across the system; however, the categories and weighting of the categories need to be consistent for the same course.

• Due dates, deadlines, and late work procedures.

Review the "Teacher Responsibilities" (pg 35). Is the following TRUE or FALSE?

In accordance with Rule 5120, teachers are not required to provide make-up work to students absent for unlawful reasons, but may do so at their discretion and in accordance with their school’s established procedures.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

In accordance with Rule 5120, teachers are not required to provide make-up work to students absent for unlawful reasons, but may do so at their discretion and in accordance with their school’s established procedures.