GRADING SYSTEM FOR GRADES 6 - 12
Shelby County Board of Education policy in accordance with the Tennessee Uniform Grading System establishes the grading system for grades 6-12.
SCS Student Handbook 2008-2009
•Report cards are sent to parents at the end of each nine-week period.
•Parents must be notified within a report card period when a student is not doing acceptable work.
•Parent-teacher conferences should be held for gaining parental support in an effort to improve student performance.
•In all schools, students' conduct is graded as excellent, satisfactory, needs improvement or unsatisfactory, and the initial letter "E", "S", "N", or "U" is used to report the conduct grade. It is to be reported at each grading period on the report card with each subject grade. NOTE: If an erroneous grade has been entered, correction must be made and a new card issued to the student.
1. Grades will be reported on report cards and accumulative records using numerical values as indicated below:
A 93-100
B 85-92
C 75-84
D 70-74
F Below 70
2. Grades given at the end of each nine-week period will be determined by the average of daily work, oral and written assignments, and tests. A minimum of eighteen grades for the nine-week period should be recorded for each subject. Fifty percent of the eighteen grades should be earned and recorded by the interim of the nine-week term. This gives the teachers the basis for the grades at the end of the grading period. The teacher will assess all student assignments and weigh the value of grades given for various assignments within the nine-week term in computing the term grade. This procedure will enable the teacher to allow for individual student differences in the grading process. Grades for homework assignments should be given with care, since homework may not always be completed by the student himself. Homework assignments are of value in affording students needed practice, and such assignments should be made within practicable limits.
3. A student’s academic grade is solely intended to reflect the student’s acquired knowledge, ability, and/or skills in the designated subject. Therefore, academic credit/points may not be awarded or deducted for any purpose that is not directly related to the student’s academic performance. For example, academic credit/points may not be awarded as an incentive to participate or achieve a certain goal in a school fundraising event. Academic credit/points may not be deducted for failure to purchase certain brands or types of school supplies. A reasonable number of academic points may be deducted from a student’s academic grade for failure to submit homework or other assigned academic work on the date specified by the teacher.
4. Regular attendance should be necessary for passing grades. In the event of an excused absence, students are expected to make up work missed within a reasonable time.
5. In all Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses at the secondary level five (5) points shall be added to each nine-week numerical term grade and each semester exam grade. The two 9 week grades and the semester exam grade with the points included will be used to calculate the semester average. These points shall only be added by the teacher of the Advanced Placement/International Baccalaureate course at the time grades are recorded on report cards and transcript.
6. Semester exams are not given in grades 6-8 with the exception of high school level courses. Students who successfully complete both semesters of the a high school course curriculum and who successfully pass the State of Tennessee Gateway Exam will earn high school credit. Grading procedures defined in Shelby County Schools’ Policy #6307 are applicable all high school courses. Semester grades earned in high school courses mentioned above, regardless of credits earned, will be recorded on the high school transcript. The grades earned will be included in the high school GPA.
7. For courses which have no Tennessee State mandated exam required during a given semester, semester grades are determined by counting the two term grades as 80% and the semester examination, or a comparable evaluation, as 20%. For courses, which have, a Tennessee State mandated exam required during a given semester, semester grades are determined by counting the two term grades as 70%, the semester examination, or a comparable evaluation, as 15%, and the Tennessee State mandated exam as 15%.
8. In all grades for Honors courses at the secondary level three (3) points shall be added to each nine-week numerical term grade and each semester exam grade. The two 9 week grades and the semester exam grade, with the added Honors course points included, will be used to calculate the semester average. The Honors points shall only be added by the teacher of the course at the time grades are recorded on report cards and transcript records.
9. A student classified as being in the 12th grade, having a 90 or higher average for the two terms in a specific course, and having three (3) or fewer excused absences in that same course will be exempted from the semester exam if the student desires. When a student is exempted from the examination, the semester average will be the average of the two term grades. ANY UNEXCUSED ABSENCE IN THE COURSE WILL DISQUALIFY THE STUDENT FROM ALL EXEMPTIONS. EXEMPTIONS APPLY ONLY TO TEACHER-MADE SEMESTER EXAMINATIONS.
10. The final grade for the year is determined by averaging the two semester grades. Students who meet only the minimum requirements should be given minimum passing grades. No student should fail for the semester or year if the only failing grade is that of the semester examination, provided the student has made an honest effort on the examination.
Report to Parents
Report cards are issued to parents at the end of each nine-week session. The report cards will be issued soon after the conclusion of each grading period, the grading period schedule is listed on page 2. Parent involvement is an important variable of student success. Parents are encouraged to discuss the student's progress with school personnel.
Promotion and Retention (Policy #6304)
Promotion or retention will be considered on the basis of what is in the best interest of the student. The final determination of whether a pupil is promoted or retained in the grade shall be made by appropriate school officials.
Parent Conferences
Parent-teacher conferences are encouraged and may be initiated by either the teacher or the parent. Parents should schedule conferences with teachers by calling the school office.
