HAMLIN MIDDLE SCHOOL GRADING GUIDELINES 2016-2017 The purpose of grades is to communicate to parents/guardians the academic achievement of a student toward the mastery of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills. Report cards and progress reports serve as written notice to a parent/guardian of a student’s current level of achievement in each subject or course during a specified period of time. Grades are not indicators of disciplinary action or non-academic performance. 1. Grades entered in e-School plus and on report card must be an accurate reflection of progress toward and achievement of concepts and skills as outlined in the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). 2. A minimum of six (6) separate grades during a grade reporting period will be recorded for each subject. All students should have a grade average posted for each grading period. (No blanks on the report card.) 3. Teachers must enter/post at least one new grade each week of the grading period by Monday of each week so that it is published and available for viewing by the students/parents. (The new grade(s) posted on Monday will reflect the work from the previous week.) 4. Teachers will incorporate the following grading practices in regards to assessments and assignments: a) A variety of ways of assessment should be utilized to measure a student’s progress toward mastery of the TEKS b) Graded work/assignments should be returned to students in a timely manner 5. No single recorded grade will be weighted more than 25 percent of the final grade for any reporting period. 6. In accordance with District guidelines progress reports are given to students that have an average of 72 or lower. In addition to the progress report, teachers must contact parents of students that receive a failing progress report. 7. District Benchmark tests may only be counted for grades if all of the tested content has been taught. However, the Benchmark will not be one of the required 6 grades for the six weeks and will not cause the student to fail for the grading period. 8. Students will have the opportunity for re-teaching and re-assessment for mastery of the TEKS. When the student retakes an assessment within the grading period, the student will have an opportunity to earn a passing grade of no higher than 75 which will replace the failing grade. 9. RECAPTURE OPPORTUNITY: Students who are missing a grade or have a failing grade on an assignment or test will be recaptured each grading period by attending tutorials and can be reassessed

for mastery of the TEKS. The failing grade or missing grade can be replaced with a grade not higher than a 70 if the TEKS have been mastered. 10. LATE WORK: Students will be assessed a late penalty of 10 points for the first day an assignment or project is due; late penalty of 20 points the second day, and 30 points the third day they do not turn in an assignment or project. The lowest grade a student can receive on a late assignment (if turned in) after the three days is a 50. 11. MAKE UP WORK: Students who are absent will be allowed the same number of days absent to make up any missed assignments/tests without penalty provided the absence is excused. If the absence is unexcused, teachers may assess a 20% penalty off the assignment/test grade. Students will be permitted to take tests administered in any class missed because of an absence. Students shall receive a maximum grade of 70 for any assignment or test not made up within the allotted time. The allotted time to make up assignments or tests that have been missed consists of one day for each day’s absence. 12. The final yearly grade will be determined by averaging together the final grades for each reporting period. 13. The teacher shall request a parent/teacher conference when a student is not achieving progress toward the TEKS or achievement of the TEKS. 14. Students found to have engaged in academic dishonesty shall be subject to grade penalties on assignments or tests and disciplinary penalties in accordance to the Student Code of Conduct. 15. Students will be awarded a Satisfactory, Improvement Needed or Unsatisfactory citizenship grade based on the following criteria: a) Completes work in the allotted time. b) Observes and follows classroom/school rules. c) Respects people and property. d) Assumes responsibility for his/her actions. e) Listens attentively. f) Practices self-discipline. DEPARTMENT-SPECIFIC GRADING GUIDELINES Language Arts/Pre-AP Language Arts: All grades are weighted equally. Math/Pre-Algebra/Algebra I: All grades are weighted equally.

Science/Pre-AP Science 8th grade: All grades are weighted equally; major tests and major projects will count as two grades as long as the two grades are not worth more than 25% of the six weeks average Hamlin Middle School Grading Guidelines Page 3 Social Studies/Pre-AP American History: All grades are weighted equally. Electives: Band/Theatre Arts/Spanish/Art/Choir/Orchestra/Technology Applications/Reading and Math Support/AVID: All grades are weighted equally. Physical Education: All students are given 100 points a week; 10 points for dressing out and 10 points for participating. 10 points are deducted each time the student does not dress out and 10 points are deducted each time the student does not participate. The student’s six weeks grade is an average of the grades earned each week. CRITERIA FOR PROMOTION Please refer to District Grading Guidelines GRADE PLACEMENT COMMITTEE (GPC) Please refer to District Grading Guidelines Revised 08/23/16