Because we understand that remote learning is very different and is a transition for all of us, we are working to do all we can to support each of our students. As we continue to move forward during this final quarter of schooling for the 2019-2020 school year, the Secondary Schools will operate from a “Hold Harmless” perspective for our students during the remainder of this distance learning experience. All of the following statements will be adhered to, provided students make a good-faith effort at engaging with their teacher and their work. To this end, please find the below outlined practices that will be in place to support our Shaker students during this virtual learning fourth quarter:
- Students who actively and regularly participate in distance learning can only earn a grade equivalent or higher to their first semester grade in the course.
- The grade for all students earned in the third quarter is their grade for fourth quarter, unless they improve upon that grade during distance learning.
- Second semester final exams are canceled.
- For classes that are graded by semester, what was earned in the first semester is the grade for the year, unless the student improves upon that grade during distance learning during this quarter.
- Each Secondary School may continue current grading practices for how they would normally average or combine grades from first to second semester, as long as the final grade is not lower than the first semester grade.
- The minimum grade that a student can receive on any completed assignment, quiz, test etc. should be equal to or above 55% of the total possible score.
- All students will be able to submit assignments after the identified due date for full credit. Late credit deductions are suspended during this distance learning time.
- As a general rule, students should be given the benefit of the doubt regarding grading. Students should be provided with opportunities for retakes on assessments and will earn the higher score on any completed retake. Teachers should allow students to improve their grades with retakes, corrections, and/or additional assignments or to be exempted.
- Instructors of College Credit Plus courses will be as flexible as permitted by the college or university. However, ultimately, the instructors still must adhere to the grading guidelines that are put forth by the respective college/university.
- All teachers in Grades 5-12, will make multiple efforts at contacting each student so that every effort has been made to help students improve failing grades. These contacts will include:
- Email
- Google Meet
- Phone Calls
Contextual examples of grading practices:
- Year-long course: (Algebra) Student earns a C in the first semester. The student’s grade for the second semester must be a C or higher.
- Semester-long course: Student earns a C in the first semester. For the new course in the second semester, the third-quarter grade is the starting point. If the student earned a failing mark the third quarter, he/she will not fail the entire semester.
- Quarter-long course: A student who failed the third quarter can be given an Incomplete and will be given every opportunity to complete work to improve their grade to passing. If a student begins a quarter-long class in the fourth quarter, the student will be allowed every opportunity to pass the course. If that student has achieved only failing marks at the end of the fourth quarter, the teacher will consider giving an Incomplete so the passing grade can be earned.