Grading Descriptors

Source: Principal Henry Turner, November 20, 2020

Below are the descriptions for grades this year. In the early Fall, teachers shared with students more specific details about grades as they relate to their classes. This grading system was created in the summer to address the crisis that we are in. Based on our work in the Spring, we knew that it would be impossible to accurately use pluses and minuses.

We recognize that it is different from our grades in previous years, but they were created to make sure we are supporting students during this crisis and accurately describing their learning during a quarter and over the course of the year. As I shared during the PTSO event last night, we have heard from many districts that they wish they had addressed this issue in the Summer as they are seeing an increase in D’s and F’s.

We will continue to evaluate these descriptions over the course of the school year.

A: Advanced

Student engages fully with the material and with the classroom community, uses feedback to improve performance, reflects on growth, and is able to independently and consistently demonstrate knowledge and mastery of skills.

B: Proficient

Student engages significantly with the material and with the classroom community, uses feedback to improve performance, reflects on growth, and is able to independently demonstrate knowledge and mastery of skills. Student may demonstrate some inconsistency in different skill or content areas.

P: Emerging

Student demonstrates proficiency in learning with teacher and or peer guidance and feedback. Student needs to show more consistency and independence in foundational knowledge and skill use. Student may also engage partially with the material and the class community, sometimes using feedback to improve performance and reflect on growth.

NG: Beginning

Student shows limited to no engagement with the material and class community. There is not enough work to elicit meaningful feedback from the teacher, providing little to no opportunity for growth, and there is minimal evidence of the development of targeted skills.