Grading Practices

Middle School Grading Practices

D6OA will continue the implementation of Equitable Grading Practices at the secondary level that accounts for each student’s strengths, preferences, resources, and language. These practices will reflect students' mastery of knowledge and skills based on measurable and observable course objectives that promote learning. Additionally, teachers will set clear objectives, develop observable criteria, and provide opportunities for success so that all learners can reach and realize their full potential.

Equitable grading means that students will receive no less than a 50% for any assignment that was turned in or not submitted. Students will then have the opportunity to work alongside teachers to ensure they can master the content presented to them. By raising the floor of our grading practices, we are eliminating the overwhelming gap in a traditional grading scale from failing (0%-59%) to passing(60%+). 

Using this scale would create a better proportionate grading system where students will be able to find success even if there were some assignments they were not able to do well on or complete. We hope that raising the floor also motivates students to complete their courses successfully while seeing the impact on the grade book since the mean is utilized for final grade calculations. 

• Personalized Learning is a Middle School Course offered to students as a block of time where they can work on any assignments, goals, or study for any upcoming assessments. Students will be graded on a Pass (60%+) or Fail (0-59%) scale. Students will be awarded a grade at the end of each quarter based on their overall attendance at D6OA. 
• Student Directed Learning is a course required by all D6OA Middle School and High School students as a block of time where students can access all teachers. Attendance for SDL is mandatory. Students will be graded on a Pass (60%+) or Fail (0-59%) scale. Students will be awarded a grade at the end of each quarter based on their overall attendance (70% weight) and GPA (30% weight) at the end of the quarter at D6OA. 
• Advisory will be graded on a Pass (60%+) or Fail (50%-59%) scale. Students will be required to attend and participate in class activities and assignments to earn points.  During advisory, all students complete district-required curriculum including 7-Mindsets, Naviance, iCAP, and Digital Citizenship lessons, as well as create individual SMART goals and participate in school culture and community-building activities.
  • Teachers should use the following 10-point grading system (or equivalent) for each assignment/participation grade created in Advisory:
    • Missing (IC) or 5pts (Schoology) - Student did not show up to class.
    • 6 pts - Student showed up to class but did not complete any assignment or participate in the activity.
    • 7 pts - Student made an effort to participate in assignments or activities that were not completed.
    • 8 pts - Student completed the majority of the assignment or participated some of the time inactivity.
    • 10pts  - Student completed the assignment and participated throughout the entire class.

High School Grading Practices

D6OA will continue the implementation of Equitable Grading Practices at the secondary level that accounts for each student’s strengths, preferences, resources, and language. These practices will reflect students' mastery of knowledge and skills based on measurable and observable course objectives that promote learning. Additionally, teachers will set clear objectives, develop observable criteria, and provide opportunities for success so that all learners can reach and realize their full potential.

Equitable grading means that students will receive no less than a 50% for any assignment that was turned in or not submitted. Students will then have the opportunity to work alongside teachers to ensure they can master the content presented to them. By raising the floor of our grading practices, we are eliminating the overwhelming gap in a traditional grading scale from failing (0%-59%) to passing(60%+).

Using this scale would create a better proportionate grading system where students will be able to find success even if there were some assignments they were not able to do well on or complete. We hope that raising the floor also motivates students to complete their courses successfully while seeing the impact on the grade book since the mean is utilized for final grade calculations. 

• Edgenuity & Colorado Digital Learning Solutions Course(s) will be excluded from the equitable grading practices as the program already has a system to help students succeed in the course. Additionally, teachers are available to work with students for tutoring, additional practice, or retakes as needed and deemed appropriate by teachers. Students and parents can see the Edgenuity Grade (Graded) and Progress (PlaceHolderPlace Holder) on Infinite Campus throughout the school year., and These scores they will be updated on Wednesdays and Fridays. If students are not maintaining an appropriate completing rate, they will be penalized per the structure in Edgenuity. 
• Student Directed Learning is a course required by all D6OA Middle School and High School students as a block of time where students can access all teachers. Attendance for SDL is mandatory. Students will be graded on a Pass (60%+) or Fail (0-59%) scale. Students will be awarded a grade at the end of each quarter based on their overall attendance (70% weight) and GPA (30% weight) at the end of each quarter. 
• Advisory will be graded on a Pass (60%+) or Fail (50%-59%) scale. Students will be required to attend and participate in class activities and assignments to earn points. During advisory, all students complete district-required curriculum including 7-Mindsets, Naviance, iCAP and Digital Citizenship lessons, as well as create individual SMART goals and participate in school culture and community building activities.
  • Teachers should be using the following 10 point grading system (or equivalent) for each assignment/participation grade created in Advisory:
    • Missing or 5pts - Student did not show up to class.
    • 6 pts - Student showed up to class but did not complete any assignment or participated in the activity.
    • 7 pts - Student made an effort to participate in assignment or activity but was not completed.
    • 8 pts - Student completed the majority of the assignment or participated some of the time in activity.
    • 10pts  - Student completed the assignment and participated throughout the entire class.

Missing & Late Assignments

Teachers have been given the following options regarding missing and late assignments:

• Teacher will be able to give the student an alternative assignment and collect the completed assignment for the full points. 
• Teachers will take the assignment and grade normally; however, the students will be capped at 80%.
  • If the student earns 70%, you will enter 70% into IC.
  • If the student earns 95%, you will enter 80% into IC. 
• Teachers can give feedback, return assignments to students to implement feedback, and then grade the assignment for full points. 
• Teacher can accept the assignment for full credit. 
• Teacher has the flexibility to combine any of the four expectations above to ensure student success and mastery of content. 

Students must reach out to their teacher to determine which of the following expectations they have adopted in their classroom. Students must have strong two-way communication with their teachers and communicate their learning needs. We ask parents for their partnership to ensure we are meeting all of the student's learning needs.