Santan Junior High School Grading Policy

Grading Philosophy

In our School Community, our focus is on student learning and achievement. At Santan Junior High School, 

• A student's grade should communicate academic achievement: what the student knows and is able to do as measured against the learning standards of the course.
• Assignments must be completed to accurately assess what a student knows and is able to do so that appropriate feedback can be given to every student.
• Practice and/or preparation (homework/classwork) is essential for learning.
• Teachers will develop and publish via their course syllabus a grading policy that reflects research-based assessment practices and that promote quality teaching and learning.

SJHS Grading Scale

Attendance and Make-up Work

Students have a responsibility to attend school on a regular basis. Attendance in school allows for participation in class activities that will equip students with the essential knowledge to be successful in a course. Teachers will adhere to the current district policy on late work due to an absence which states, "For each day missed the student has an equal number of days to complete the make-up work assigned." (Student Handbook) 

Missing Work/Late Work Assignment Guidelines (NOT due to absences)

Assignments are given due dates so that teachers can provide feedback in a timely manner and learning will progress. Students are expected to meet deadlines and to contact the teacher when possible in advance to discuss any issues with due dates. Late work policies will be communicated via the teacher's course syllabus. In general, however, students who fail to complete assignments on due dates will:

• Communicate with the teacher regarding their situation and needs for the missing work.
• Be expected to complete the assignment.
• Receive an "M" (for Missing) in the Infinite Campus grade book. This means that it will be averaged as a "0" until the assignment is submitted (IC notifications will be sent reminding parents and students of the missing assignment).
• Be allowed to turn in the assignment until the next grade posting (approximately weeks 4-5 for mid-quarter progress reports and 9-10 for quarter grades) for each quarter (teacher discretion to extend work acceptance for assignments whose due dates fall close to progress report posting dates will be utilized).
• Receive a reduced grade for the completed work received late.

50% Policy

If a student receives less than 50% on a completed assignment, project, test, or quiz that assesses or measures mastery, the failing grade will be recorded as 50% in the Infinite Campus grade book. The purpose of this policy is to accommodate students who may experience poor performance within a certain learning goal. However, if a student appears to have put forth little to no effort, the work piece will not be accepted. In this situation, an "M" (missing) will be recorded until the student completes the assignment satisfactorily.

Mastery of Learning Plan (Retest)

A student who earns a D or below on an assessment has an additional opportunity to demonstrate mastery of content by retesting. Some teachers allow any student to retest while others may have specific requirements that must be met such as mandatory tutoring or completing additional assignments. If this is the case, it will be communicated via the teacher's course syllabus.

Extra Credit

Students are given multiple opportunities to demonstrate mastery of skills and concepts; therefore, extra credit is not an expected component of any teacher's instructional or assessment practices. If a teacher chooses to offer extra credit, the assignment must:

• go beyond information that was presented in class
• be directly related to content standards and concepts (e.g., the course learning goals)
• show that the student has worked independently to gain additional knowledge or demonstrate knowledge in an alternate manner