6147.1(R) Evaluation of Individual Student Performance

NORTHFIELD CITY BOARD OF EDUCATION FILE CODE: 6147.1

Northfield, New Jersey

Regulation

EVALUATION OF INDIVIDUAL STUDENT PERFORMANCE

1. Purpose of Grading
2. The purpose of grading is to assist students in the process of learning; all grading systems will be subject to continual review and revision to that end.
3. Grades acknowledge a student’s demonstrated proficiency in the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards, New Jersey Student Learning Standards and locally established learning goals and objectives:
   1. Active participation in and attention to daily lessons,
   2. Frequent contribution to discussions,
   3. Prompt, thorough, accurate, and neat preparation of assignments,
   4. Thorough preparation and performance on tests and assessments,
   5. Display of an eagerness to learn and an inquisitive approach to lessons,
   6. Attention to the need for proper materials,
   7. Cooperation with the teacher’s efforts, and
   8. Willingness to work to the best of his/her ability and to do more than the minimum expected.
4. Preparation for Grading
5. Each student must be informed of the behavior and achievements expected of him/her at the outset of each course of study or unit of study.
6. Each student must be kept informed of his/her progress during the course of a unit of study. Students who so request are entitled to see the grades resulting from their performance during the grading period.
7. Each method of grading shall be appropriate to the course of study and the maturity and abilities of the students.
8. Students should be encouraged to evaluate their own achievements.
9. The process of review and revision will involve teaching staff members, parent/guardian, and, as appropriate, students.
10. Grading Periods
11. Grades will be awarded at the end of four marking periods in each school year.
12. Students will be given notice of their mid-term grades at mid-point of each marking period.
13. Students will be given a final grade in each subject at the end of the school year.
14. Grades will be recorded on report cards for parent/guardian notification in accordance with Policy No. 5124
15. Basis for Grading

The teacher responsible for assigning a grade should take into consideration the student’s:

1. Completion of written assignments prepared in the classroom or elsewhere;
2. Oral contributions in class, including discussion responses, observations, panel participation, presentations, initiation of topics;
3. Performance on oral and written tests and quizzes;
4. Research into standard references and other background materials;
5. Oral and written reports on materials read by the student;
6. Laboratory work;
7. Term papers;
8. Special oral or written reports;
9. Other evidences of the student’s constructive efforts and achievements in learning; and
10. For the final grade, the student’s attendance record, in accordance with Policy Nos. 5113 and 6146.2.
11. Meaning of Grades
12. The following grades will be given in each academic subject at the end of each marking period:
    1. A grade of A indicates superior performance. It may be given to a student whose achievement is significantly above grade level; whose work achieves a quality and quantity that consistently excels; and who demonstrates a high degree of initiative, application, and purpose.
    2. A grade of B indicates above average performance. It should be given to a student whose achievement is above grade level; whose work frequently excels; and who generally demonstrates strength in the subject.
    3. A grade of C indicates average performance. It should be given to a student whose achievement in most areas of the subject are average; whose work is acceptable; and who demonstrates a satisfactory degree of proficiency.
    4. A grade of D indicates below average performance. It should be given to a student whose achievement in the subject is barely passing; whose work is the minimum acceptable for credit; and who demonstrates only weak proficiencies in the subject.
    5. A grade of F indicates failing performance and that no credit can be given for the subject. It should be given to a student who has not met the minimum requirements of the course; who has demonstrated an inability or unwillingness to master the basic elements of the course; or who has failed to meet the minimum attendance standards necessary to pass a course of study.
    6. Letter grades may be modified by plus or minus signs.
13. The following grading scales and indicators shall be used:

A+= 98 – 100

A = 95 – 97

1. = 92 – 94

B+= 89 – 91

B = 86 – 88

B- = 84 – 85

C+= 81 – 83

C = 78 – 80

C- = 76 – 77

D+= 73 – 75

D = 70 – 72

D- = 68 – 69

F = Below 68, not meeting requirements

O = Outstanding

S = Satisfactory

U = Unsatisfactory

INC = Work not completed for valid reason. Work must be completed within two weeks at which time a grade will be given.

1. In the event of an extended school building closure, the administration may modify the assessment of the students’ academic performance and issue grades that are different from the traditional “A, B, C…” letter grades. The determination to issue the modified grading will be made on a case-by-case basis with respect to each marking period affected by the closure.
2. Grading for core subjects (i.e. ELA, math, science, and social studies) during a hybrid school program schedule will remain consistent with grading during the regular school program schedule (i.e. A, B, C…) and all of the aspects of Regulation 6147.1 – Evaluation of Individual Student Performance (i.e. preparation for grading, grading periods, basis for grading, etc.) will remain in effect.

Grading for the Related Arts classes (i.e. art, music, physical education, etc.) during a hybrid school program schedule will be reflected as:

O = Outstanding

S = Satisfactory

N – Needs Improvement

1. A grade of “Incomplete” will be given to those students unable to complete the work assigned to the course for reasons beyond the student’s control, such as the student’s disability.
   1. A teacher who submits a grade of incomplete will accompany the grade with a reasonable estimate of the amount of time the student will require to complete the work necessary for the granting of credit.
   2. Except as may be required by unusual circumstances, make up work should be completed within two weeks of the end of the marking period or, if the student is disabled at the end of the marking period, two weeks after the student’s return to school.
   3. The student’s completed work will be graded and the teacher will submit a grade, which will replace the incomplete grade on the student’s transcript.
   4. A student who does not complete the work within the period allowed will receive a grade of F in the subject.
   5. Final grades, for year-end grades or marking period grades, will be calculated by assigning a numerical value to each marking period grade and dividing the sum of those values by the number of marking periods.
2. Teacher Comments

A student’s academic letter grade may be accompanied by a teacher comment, which expresses the student’s effort and attitude.

1. Grade Point Average (GPA)
   1. GPA for students will be calculated using the average of all completed marking period grades available in English/Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies.
   2. Weighted credit will be earned per the following table:

All Courses	Accelerated
A = 4	A = 4.10
B = 3	B = 3.10
C = 2	C = 2.10
D = 1	D = 1.10
F = 0	F = 0.00

• 1. Using the chart above, the weighted grade earned is multiplied by the number of credits for each course. The sum of all points is then divided by the number of credits attempted by each student. This will recognize and give credit for accelerated courses.
  2. Students who have taken a weighted course in another district for which there is no corresponding weighted course in this district will not be awarded the weight for the course as our students would not have had the same opportunity to receive a weighting for the course.

1. Grade Validation

In order that he/she may justify a grade, each teacher is directed to retain in his/her possession the following records to validate grades awarded to students. The records should be kept for a minimum of six years after the end of the school year in which the grades were awarded.

1. The daily attendance and tardiness record;
2. All grades earned for classroom activities such as quizzes, tests, reports, and class recitations;
3. All grades earned for activities conducted elsewhere, such as homework assignments and term papers;
4. Any notation regarding the meaning of each grade and its relation to the type of activity or material covered;
5. Any notation of discussions with the student on a grade or the student’s cumulative grade average;
6. Any referrals for guidance, discipline, and the like; and
7. Any notations recording communications between the teacher and the parent/guardian, the Principal, or other teaching staff members.
8. Appeal
9. Each teacher is responsible for the determination of the grade a student receives for participation in the teacher’s course of study.
10. Each teacher may be required to furnish reasons, supported by evidence (see paragraph E above) to substantiate any grade earned.
11. If a grade is challenged by a student or a parent/guardian, the teacher will convene a conference and will explain the grading system and the reasons for the final grade.
12. If the parent/guardian or student is not satisfied by the teacher’s explanations, he/she may appeal the grade to the Principal, who will consult with the teacher and the student in an attempt to resolve the dispute. The Principal will give every reasonable deference to the teacher’s professional judgment.
13. If the Principal determines that the grade should be changed, he/she will alter the grade on all records and indicate by whose authority the grade has been changed.
14. No reprisals will be taken in any form against a teacher who remains determined in his/her belief that the grade originally given is fair and correct.
15. The Superintendent may hear an appeal from the Principal’s determination. Only in the most extraordinary circumstances will the Superintendent alter a grade determined at the school building level.

Adopted: October 20, 2008

Revised: January 2019; October 2020