Grading Beliefs/Assumptions

• Our primary goal as educators is to work with students to maximize their learning and achievement. It is desirable for us to work to improve achievement and reduce failure.
• Grades should reflect what a student knows, understands, and can apply and/or demonstrate.
• Students do not learn/achieve at uniform rates.
• While some students may be motivated by good grades, many (perhaps most) students are negatively motivated by poor (especially failing) grades.
• Students should be given multiple opportunities to improve their demonstration of knowledge, understanding, and applications.
• In grading there needs to be greater emphasis on achievement and less on the time that it takes students to achieve.

Homework Policy

Homework is the oral and written reinforcement and/or enrichment of concepts and skills presented in class, or the presentation/introduction of new concepts being presented. Daily time allotted for homework varies by grade level and by subject area.

Homework assignments have several positive aspects:

• Allow parents to see what is being taught
• Allow students to practice concepts that are taught in the classroom
• Help prepare students for the next day’s instruction
• Allow the students to develop good study habits

Timely completion of all assignments is the responsibility of the students and parents. Parents provide a critical role in the homework process. Parents need to ensure that homework is completed on time. Parents are asked to provide an appropriate home environment so that students can successfully complete homework.

Students and parents are responsible for all material and work missed during an absence. Homework for students who are home ill for more than one day may be requested at the same time you report your child’s absence. The teachers will be notified and the homework assignments can be picked up at the school after 3:45 p.m.

Students who are out of school for a planned absence are expected to obtain all work from teachers prior to the planned absence. Students are expected to complete all work missed due to an absence.

Teachers will assist students who are in need of help in making up work due to an excused absence. A time allowance will be given to make up the missed work (i.e., one day to make up work for each day of school missed).