Written report cards displaying students' grades in each subject or course shall be distributed to parents/guardians at the end of each grading period. Parents/guardians shall be offered an opportunity to meet with their child's teacher(s) to discuss the grades and strategies to improve their child's performance. (cf. 6020 - Parent Involvement) Whenever it becomes evident to a teacher that a student is in danger of failing a course, the teacher/counselor shall arrange a conference with the student's parent/guardian or send the parent/guardian a written report. (Education Code 49067) (cf. 5123 - Promotion/Acceleration/Retention) For each student in grades 9-12, the Superintendent or designee shall maintain a transcript recording the courses taken, the term that each course was taken, credits earned, final grades, and date of graduation. (cf. 5125 - Student Records) (cf. 6146.1 - High School Graduation Requirements) Grades for Achievement Progress towards standards will reflect what the student has been taught during that grading period. A student may achieve mastery at any time during the school year. Transitional Kindergarten student s reports will be reported as follows: M P E I X Mastery Progressing Emerging Initial Not Yet Taught Kindergarten reports will show progress towards mastery of standards as follows: M P Mastery Progressing Page 1 of 8
E I X Emerging Initial Not Yet Taught For grades 1-3, students' level of progress shall be reported as follows: 5 Advanced 4 Proficient 3 Basic 2 Below Basic 1 Far Below Basic For grades 4-5, students level of progress shall be reported as follows: A B C D D Advanced Proficient Basic Below Basic Far Below Basic In grades K-12, criteria for determining grades for achievement may include, but are not limited to: 1. Preparation of assignments, including accuracy, legibility and promptness 2. Contribution to classroom discussions 3. Demonstrated understanding of concepts in tests and other assessments 4. Application of skills and principles to new situations 5. Organization and presentation of written and oral reports 6. Originality and reasoning ability when working through problems For grades K-5, students level of progress shall be reported as follows: AD Advanced: The student consistently exceeds standards as demonstrated by a body of evidence that shows depth of understanding and flexible application of grade-level concepts. PR Proficient: The student consistently meets standards as demonstrated by a body of evidence that shows independent understanding and application of grade-level concepts. Page 2 of 8
BA Basic: The student occasionally meets standards as demonstrated by a body of evidence that shows incomplete/inconsistent understanding and application of grade level concepts. BB Below Basic: The student rarely meets standards as demonstrated by a body of evidence that shows minimal understanding and application of grade-level concepts. 1 Far Below Basic X Not Yet Taught/Not Assessed For Grade 6, students level of progress shall be reported as follows: A B C D F I Outstanding Above Average Average Below Average Failing Incomplete The changes for 7-12 came from the secondary principals in Jan. 2013 and did not indicate that grade 6 was to be included, thus requiring a newly formatted report card for grade 6 too. The Sub Committee decided to include. 3/7/13. For grades 6-12, grades for achievement shall be reported for each grading period to indicate the student s level of achievement as follows: A (90-100%) Outstanding Achievement Advanced 4.0 grade points B (80-89%) Above Average Achievement Proficient 3.0 grade points C (70-79%) Average Achievement Basic 2.0 grade points D (60-69%) Below Average Basic Achievement 1.0 grade points F (0-59%) Far Below Average Basic Achievement 0 grade points I Incomplete 0 grade points NG No Grade 0 grade points NP Not Passing 0 grade points NCA No Credit Due to Excessive Absences 0 grade points P Pass 0 grade points W Withdrawn 0 grade points W/F Withdrawn/Fail 0 grade points An Incomplete shall be given only when a student's work is not finished there is insufficient evidence of mastery because of illness or other excused absence. If not made up within six weeks, the Incomplete shall become an F. Page 3 of 8
Advanced Placement/University of California Approved Honors and International Baccalaureate Courses (Grades 11 12) Because of the more rigorous nature of Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and University of California approved honors courses, 11-12, and concurrent postsecondary courses, students receiving a grade of A, B, or C in those courses shall receive extra grade weighting as follows: A (90-100%) Outstanding Achievement Advanced 5.0 grade points B (80-89%) Above Average Achievement Proficient 4.0 grade points C (70-79%) Average Achievement Basic 3.0 grade points (cf. 6141.5 - Advanced Placement) (cf. 6172 - Gifted and Talented Student Program) (cf. 6172.1 - Concurrent Enrollment in College Classes) Grade Point Average will be reported on the transcript in three categories: University of California/California State University weighted a g grades (10 th - 12 th ) University of California/California State University unweighted a g grades (10 th - 12 th ) 9 12 GPA (unweighted) Weighted grades will not be used in determining Valedictorian or Salutarian status. Weighted grading and GPA s will begin with the class of 2017. Grades for Physical Education No grade of a student participating in a physical education class may be adversely affected due to the fact that the student, because of circumstances beyond his/her control, does not wear standardized physical education apparel. (Education Code 49066) (cf. 6142.7 - Physical Education) Student performance in high school physical education courses shall be based upon evaluation of the student's individual progress, attainment of goals in each instructional area, tests designed to determine skill and knowledge, and physical performance tests. (5 CCR 10060) PE course grades are reflective of individual student progress towards their goals. Page 4 of 8
High school students using interscholastic athletic participation to fulfill physical education requirements, as authorized by Education Code 51242, may be graded on this participation provided that a teacher credentialed to teach physical education supervises this participation and assigns the grade. (cf. 6145.2 - Athletic Competition) Grades for College Courses When the district has approved a student to receive district credit for coursework completed at a community college or four-year college, he/she shall receive the same letter grade as is granted by the college. Grades for Citizenship, Study Skills, and Effort Grades for citizenship, study skills, and effort shall be reported as follows: O Outstanding S Satisfactory N Needs Improvement U Unsatisfactory (Requires documentation that teacher has made all reasonable efforts to notify parents.) Pass/Fail Grading (9-12) The Superintendent or designee may identify courses or programs for which students may, with parent/guardian permission, elect to earn a Pass or Fail grade instead of a letter grade. Students who receive a Pass grade shall acquire the appropriate semester units of credit for the course. The grade shall not be counted in determining class rank or grade point average, honors list, or membership in the California Scholarship Federation. Students who receive a Fail grade shall not receive credit for taking the course. Grading for Specialized Programs Specialized programs at the Elementary Level (such as Special Education, International Baccalaureate, Dual Language) will have a Progress Sheet included with the Core Report Card giving further information regarding a student s progress. Page 5 of 8
High School Report Cards only report designated courses. Peer Grading At their discretion, teachers may use peer grading of student tests, papers, and assignments as appropriate to reinforce lessons. Students will not enter any grades into the system. Repeating Classes (9-12) With the approval of the principal or designee, a student may repeat a course in order to raise his/her grade if original grade is a D or below. Both grades received shall be entered on the student's transcript, but the student shall receive credit only once for taking the course. Students will not receive credits for the same course twice. OPTION 1: The highest grade received shall be used in determining the student's overall grade point average (GPA). OPTION 2: The two grades shall be averaged in determining the student's overall grade point average (GPA). It should be noted that the University of California/California State University system will not accept repeat course grades if the student initially received a C or better. (California Code of Regulations Title V, section 58161) Withdrawal from Classes A student who drops a course during the first six five weeks of the grading period may do so without any entry on his/her permanent record card, provided permission is granted by Principal or designee. A student who drops a course after the first six five weeks of the grading period shall receive an F grade on his/her permanent record, unless otherwise decided by the principal or designee because of extenuating circumstances. Effect of Absences on Grades (9-12) When a student adds a course, the grade represents the student s work from the day he/she enters the new class. The student and parent/guardian shall be notified and informed of the Page 6 of 8
district s policy regarding excessive unexcused absences. If the absence is not verified as excusable within three days, it shall be recorded as unexcused. The person receiving any explanation of the absence by the parent/guardian shall make a record of this explanation and the date when it was given. Students with Excessive unexcused absences eight (8) per semester grading period) may be given a failing grade and not receive credit for the course(s) negatively effect the final grade. Teachers who withhold class credit because of excessive unexcused absences shall so inform students and parents/guardians at the beginning of the school year or semester. When a student reaches the number of unexcused absences defined as excessive in Board policy, the student and parent/guardian shall again be notified of the district's policy regarding excessive unexcused absences. (Education Code 49067) (cf. 5113 - Absences and Excuses) The student and parent/guardian shall have a reasonable opportunity to explain the absences. (Education Code 49067) If a student receives a failing grade because of excessive unexcused absences, the student's record shall specify that the grade was assigned because of excessive unexcused absences. (Education Code 49067) Grades for a student in foster care shall not be lowered if the student is absent from school due to either of the following circumstances: (Education Code 49069.5) 1. A decision by a court or placement agency to change the student's placement, in which case the student's grades and credits shall be calculated as of the date the student left school 2. A verified court appearance or related court-ordered activity (cf. 6173.1 - Education for Foster Youth) Grade Point Average The Superintendent or designee shall calculate each student's GPA using the Page 7 of 8
grade points assigned to each letter grade in accordance with the scale described in the section "Grades for Achievement" above. The grade points for all applicable coursework shall be totaled and divided by the number of courses completed. The ability to participate in extra curricula activities may will be affected when a student s GPA is less than 2.0 at the each five week reporting period unless granted a probation period. (cf. 5126 - Awards for Achievement) (cf. 6145 - Extracurricular and Cocurricular Activities) OPTION 1: When plus and minus designations are added to letter grades, they shall not be considered in determining GPA. OPTION 2: When plus and minus designations are added to letter grades, a plus shall be computed by adding 0.3 to the value assigned the letter grade and a minus shall be computed by subtracting 0.3 from the value assigned to the letter grade. Regulation Approved: November 14, 1995 Revised: PASADENA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT Pasadena, California Page 8 of 8