New State Mandates Regarding Grading Policy for School Districts
In this last Legislative Session, a new law was enacted that requires a school district to adopt a grading policy prior to the beginning of school each school year that includes provisions for the assignment of grades on class assignments and exams. The policy (1) must require that a classroom teacher assign a grade that reflects the student's relative mastery of an assignment; (2) may not require a
classroom teacher to assign a minimum grade for an assignment without regard to the student's quality of work; and (3) may allow a student a reasonable opportunity to make up or redo a class assignment or exam for which the student received a failing grade. This law was not fully interpreted and implemented into policy until last month with the latest Localized Policy Update 86.
In the past FISD did not assign a grade below 50 on a report card due to concerns that a student would feel that bringing his/her grade up from below that level would be too challenging.
Beginning with the new grading period on Monday, November 16, we will adhere to the law and a student’s grade on the report card will reflect the actual grade obtained. We will continue, as always, to work to provide opportunities for students to be successful through tutoring, reteaching and the ability to make-up or redo an assignment or exam in which the student received a failing grade. At the high school level, this will now also apply to pre-AP and AP courses. Please see your school’s handbook addendum for make-up work/re-test guidelines.
How We Average Grades*
- Major Grades: 50% (Tests, Projects, Research Assignments)
- Daily Grades: 40%(Quizzes, Daily Work, Labs, etc.)
*Some high school-credited courses may have different weight percentages. New 8th Grade Science Blog Click here to see the latest lesson plans, PowerPoint presentations and notes.
Textbook Information
Some of our books are available on-line at this URL:
http://my.hrw.com/. Below is information.
- Spanish
- 7th Grade Spanish 1A
- Username: 7spanish1a
- Password: pollito
- 8th Grade Spanish 1B
- Username: 8spanish1b
- Password: bienvenidos
- Math-Algebra 1
Go to activate.classzone.com and enter the Activation Code for the product you want to use:
- Algebra 1: ACTIVATION CODE: 2635819-10
- Math-Grade Level
Go to
www.pearsonsuccessnet.com. All
All students use the same first and last name:
First Name: Adelle Last Name: Clark
User name: course3 Password: 123456
User name: clarkmiddle7
Password: mathseventh
- For Math 7 PAP
User name: clarkmiddlepap7
Password: math7pap
- For Math 6
User name:clarkmiddle6
Password: mathsixth
- Science
Go to
http://my.hrw.com (Be sure not to put in the www)
- 6th grade:
Username: cmsfrisco
Password:clark
- 7th grade:
Username- cmsscience7
Password- clark
Username- cms8
Password- frisco
- ILA: The Language of Literature
- ILA writing guides
NEW for the Coming 2009-2010 School Year: Maintenance Requirements for Students Taking Pre-AP/Algebra I and Spanish 1A and 1B Classes
Maintenance Requirements for all Pre-AP and Algebra I, Classes Information
A student who earns a 79 or below in a six week grading period will be placed on academic probation. If a 79 or below is earned for two consecutive six weeks, the student will be placed into the corresponding regular level class. Students enrolled in these courses should expect high standards and an additional time requirement.
Spanish IA and IB High School Credit Information
Spanish I is offered in grades 7 and 8 for high school credit. Successful completion of both years, Spanish IA (7th grade) and Spanish IB (8th grade), with a final grade of 80% or above each year, is required in order to receive the high school credit. Upon successful completion of both Spanish I A and B, students will receive foreign language credit toward high school graduation, however, this class will not be included in the overall high school G.P.A. Students who elect to take this high school level course designed to provide a solid foundation for success in Spanish II should expect high standards and an additional time requirement. Students may not retake Spanish I in high school if they receive credit for Spanish IA and IB in middle school. A student who earns a 79 or below in a six week grading period will be placed on academic probation. If a 79 or below is earned for two consecutive six weeks, the student will be placed into an alternative elective.
RETEST POLICY
Students may earn the right to retest during a seven day
period following the return of their test
for a grade no higher than a 70. Procedures for retaking a test in his/her class will be established
to include criteria showing evidence of academic effort; for example, no zeros on homework, no
unexcused absences, completion of additional assignments, test corrections, the completion of test
reviews prior to the test, etc. Semester Exams may not be retested.
TUTORIAL POLICY: MORNINGS
Students are encouraged to attend tutorials in the morning or after school at any time. To make that attendance more convenient, CMS has implemented a new morning tutorial policy:
- Students are not required to have a pass to attend morning tutorials.
- From 8:10-8:15 a.m. students may leave the cafeteria to attend tutorials.
- After 8:15 they may not leave the cafeteria for tutorials.
- They may not go to the halls unless they are go to a room for to a tutorial.
- They may not go to their locker at any time during morning tutorials, unless they have a pass froma teacher.
- Students persistently found loitering should be referred to their appropriate assistant principal.
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LATE WORK POLICY : Another Chance to Excel (ACE)
One of the goals of CMS is to teach students to accept responsibility for their academic work, while recognizing that some of our students are still learning punctuality and organization.
The ACE program provides students three additional opportunities to turn in specific assignments beyond the original due date with a maximum grade of 70. They may turn in the assignment (1) during or after school of the day the assignment is due, (2) the morning of the following day, or (3) after school of the following day.
Example: Student A doesn’t bring his assignment on Monday to class. He can bring it the end of that day, or the next day before school/during class or after school for a 30 point penalty. If he does not, he may be assigned a C-hall (and parents will be called by the teacher). If it is not completed in C-hall, a TNR could be assigned by the administration, and if work is still not completed, a subsequent chance to excel in ISS for one day may be assigned.
Clarification Points:
- Students get 3 additional chances to avoid a zero, but will only make a maximum grade of 70. If a student turns in an assignment that is below 70, that failing grade will stand. If a student turns in an assignment late that is not failing, a 70 will be their maximum grade. Examples:
- Student B turns in his history map late and makes an initial grade of 62. He will receive a grade of 62.
- Student C turns in a Periodic table late and makes an initial grade of 87. She will receive a grade of 70.
- If assignments aren’t turned in by 4:00 p.m. the day after the due date, a C-hall can be assigned by the teacher.
- For chronic late work issues, administrators reserve the right to escalate consequences beyond a C-hall.
- If students are assigned a C-hall/TNR/ISS, those consequences must be served in their entirety, even if assignments are turned before/on the date of the consequence.
- C-Hall/TNR/ISS teacher will take up the assignment—completed or not—and return it to the corresponding teacher. If the teacher determines the assignment is incomplete, she/he may contact an administrator for additional consequences.
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