RMS Grading: 'The Zero Factor'

RMS Grading:  ‘The Zero Factor’

You were sent a letter with the last Progress Reports telling you about our new grading format. The purpose of the new grading policy is to provide accurate, fair and consistent grades. It is important that grades communicate and reflect student learning and achievement. We will continue to post comments/explanations in our newsletter and send letters with Report Cards to help parents understand the grades their children are bringing home.

Along with making grading more predictable and consistent from class to class, we are also striving to make grades fair.  For example, we are redefining fairness in how we record ‘zeros’ when a child does not turn in an assignment. The easiest way to explain this by looking at the example below:

Jose Johnson Gradeniak:

     Assignment 1:       0%               =          Class Grade Average:     0%/F

     Assignment 2:   100%               =          Class Grade Average:  50%/F

     Assignment  3:  100%               =          Class Grade Average:  66%/F

     Assignment  4:  100%               =          Class Grade Average:  75%/F

In the above example, student Jose Johnson Gradeniak has received four grades for four assignments.  Each assignment was worth 100 points.  The grade was figured by the total number of points earned divided by the total number of points possible. Thus, if a student does not complete the first assignment and thereby receives “0,” the student would need to get 100% on the next three assignments to receive a 75%.

Essentially, if your child receives a “0,” it is extremely difficult to move up to a passing/acceptable grade. To fix this problem of fairness, the school is switching to a policy of having all zeros weight evenly. If alpha grades are used, a zero would be an “F.” If numeric grades are used, zeros would average in at 50%.

In closing we understand this is a change not only for teachers, but for parents and students as well. Should you have any questions/concerns, feel free to call and talk with one of the building administrators.

Sincerely,
Christopher Russo

* If you didn’t receive or read the last newsletter with the first part of our discussion, you can go to the webpage and download a copy or you can call the office and we will be happy to send a copy home with your child.