Grading Policy

PS 398Q is dedicated to the advancement of ALL students in order to prepare them with the academic skills needed to thrive in the ever-changing world of the 21^st Century.  This document serves as our written transparent grading policy to inform students and families about how grades are earned. This document outlines how courses are graded, the scale of marks awarded, how they translate into report card grades and when and how often students receive grades.

 Our grading policy applies to all students, including Students with Disabilities (SWD) and English Language Learners (ELLs). Please note all students, regardless of being an ELL or SWD*, are held to Grade Level Standards.

*ELL/ESL/ENL are synonymous. The new term for ESL/ELL/ ENL is MLL (Multilingual Language Learner).

*Students with disabilities-annual goals, plans for progress monitoring, and promotion criteria are documented in the IEP, while the report card documents progress made in the general education curriculum. All students, including students with disabilities, receive grades based on how well they master the Grade Level subject matter, concepts, content, and skills addressed in a subject. The IEP describes specially designed instruction and accommodations for an individual student that is used to create access to grade-level standards and enable progress toward annual goals.

Grades K- 5 Grading Rubric Weighted Percentage Distribution

Please Note: PS398Q believes all students can achieve their academic and social goals.  At PS 398Q student achievement is based on the effort students make to achieve their goals.  For this reason, our grading policy places greater emphasis on students' academic performance in class. The weighted distribution scale below indicates that 60% of a student’s grade is based on how students perform in class (classwork + participation).  This supports our vision for success and the “growth mindset” students L.E.A.R.N. when they challenge themselves and demonstrate their ability to persevere through challenging tasks.  Only 30% of students’ grade are based on assessment data (assessments are a combination of quizzes, benchmarks and summative assessments). 

REMOTE LEARNING ADJUSTMENTS:  Teachers use the “Student Friendly Rubric” below to grade projects and assignments students submit on Google Classroom. The homework and participation grades have now been merged.   We are placing more weight on participation & homework, because currently the guidance has been that we “touch a student” once.  Meaning if a child has participated and checked in, they are working remotely.  We encourage our families to check in with us daily in google classroom. Emphasis is placed on the importance of effort and interactions.  Basically, a student checking in daily and submitting assignments is getting 40% of the overall grade, 30% on Quality of Projects (work submitted) and 30% on Assessments/Quizzes.

Student Friendly Grade Level Rubric
Remote Learning Assignment Rubric

Kindergarten Reading Level Breakdown
REMOTE Reading Monitoring Systems Remotely: iReady, RAX and myON

First Grade Reading Level Breakdown
REMOTE Reading Monitoring Systems Remotely: iReady, RAX and myON

PS 398Q Classroom Grading Scale – Grades K-5

Levels & Percentages

Marks awarded: The minimum grade a student must receive to “pass” or Meet NYS Standards is a 3. The Performance Level of 2 is below New York State Standards. While it is approaching standards, a performance level of below standards (2) is not on grade level or meeting Standards. Grades are cumulative and show students’ progress throughout the year.

Elementary Schools Academic Grading Policy “REPORT CARD GRADES”: The 1–4 (+/-) scale does not have numeric equivalents. Schools may not establish nor communicate numeric equivalents for marks 1, 2, 3, or 4. Also, note that performance level 2 has a fail equivalent.

• Meets Standards (MT)
  • 4 (+/-) Performance level: Excels in Standards (1–4 scale)
  • 3 (+/-) Performance level: Proficient (1–4 scale)
    
• Need Improvement (N)
  
  • 2 (+/-) Performance level: Below Standards (1-4 scale)
  • 1 (+/-) Performance level: Well below standards (1-4 scale)

Timeline: Students will receive grades three times per year, November, March, and June via report cards in every course. Parents and guardians will have the opportunity to speak to their child’s teacher about report card grades during Parent Teacher Conferences. Please be advised PS398Q welcomes all families to discuss student progress, every Tuesday afternoon from 2:45 PM – 3:15PM, “Talk to Teacher Tuesdays” (NO APPOINTMENTS NECESSARY). Parents and teachers may also schedule appointments at a mutually agreed upon time.

Marking Periods