Evaluation of Student Progress

The staff shall continuously review and im-prove the methods of evaluating student progress. Grading procedures will be explained thoroughly to all students during the first week of school.

The issuance of grades on a regular basis serves to promote a process of continuous evaluation of student performance, to inform the student and parents of progress, and to provide a basis for bring-ing about change in student performance if such change seems necessary.

The grading guidelines for the Montville Public Schools are as follows:

KINDERGARTEN

There will be a minimum of:

(a) A group conference to orient parents to the nature, objectives, and format of the kinder-garten program.

(b) An individual conference by midyear with the parents of each child to evaluate the child's progress.

(c) A checklist or narrative report will be provid-ed two times a year for the parents of each child. These reports may be supplemented by conferences at the re-quest of either the teach-er or the parent.

GRADES 1-12

Grading Criteria

A = Excellent

Masetrs 90 to 100 percent of the expectations in the curriculum.

Masters all assigned work and is expected to exhibit most or nearly all of the following qualities: Completes work on time. Makes a real contribution to class discussion. Does all written work neatly. Works with vigor and enthusiasm. Evaluates and improves his own efforts. Willing to do more than the assigned work. Works independently of teacher and fellow students. Meets Board of Education attendance requirements as set forth in Policy 5113.

B = Above Average

Masters 80 to 89 percent of the expectations in the curriculum.

Masters a major portion of assigned work and is expected to exhibit most or nearly all of the following qualities: Completes work on time. Does all written work neatly. Makes a good response in class. Shows a decided interest in work. Tries to evaluate and improve own efforts. Willing to do more than assigned work. Works with little assistance from others. Meets Board of Education attendance requirements as set forth in Policy 5113.

C = Average

Masters 70 to 79 percent of the expectations in the curriculum.

Masters a satisfactory number of assignments as determined by the teacher and is expected to exhibit most or nearly all of the following qualities: Completes work on time. Does all written work assigned. Makes an average response in class. Shows some interest in work. Evaluates and improves work under direction. Makes an honest effort to do work. Meets Board of Education attendance requirements as set forth in Policy 5113.

D = Below Average

Masters 60 to 69 percent of the minimum expectations in the curriculum.

Masters the minimum assignments. Completes work in reasonable time. Does most written work. Limited response in class. Makes some effort to do work. Meets Board of Education attendance require-ments as set forth in Policy 5113.

P = Passing (means passing without defining grade)

Criteria for passing must be equal or above that of below average.

F = Failure (below 60)

Indicates failure to master accepted standard for passing as determined by the teacher. This may be due to indifference, irregular attendance, or incom-plete work.

I = Incomplete Work

Middle School and Senior High School

Incomplete work at the end of the grading period, semester, or year will be recorded as an I with the exception of the last marking period. Students have until the following marking period to make up incomplete work with the exception of the last marking period. For the last marking period, the incomplete work must be made up by the close of school.

Elementary

Incomplete work will be made up as soon as possible and at the discretion of the teacher.

High School

W = Withdrew before a grade could be assigned

WF = Withdrew failing

WP = Withdrew passing

Elementary Students Achievement Levels

The grading key for elementary students will consist of a letter grade showing their achieve-ment and a notation indicating the level of material. HA = high achievement level. LA = low achieve-ment level. A letter grade without any notation denotes that a student is working on materials at the average achievement level.

Special Education Students

The grading key for these students will consist of a letter grade showing the achievement. The teacher and/or special teachers will notify the parents of the level of material through the PPT meeting, correspondence, telephone, or conference.

Pass-Fail Subjects - Middle School

The following will be graded on a pass/fail basis:

Practical Art

Computer Science

Satisfactory-Unsatisfactory - Elementary Schools

Art

Handwriting

Music including instrumental

Physical Education

Science and Social Studies - Grades 1, 2, 3

High School-Middle School Ability Levels

The middle school and senior high school course numbers indicate the ability level of the class. The meaning of the course numbers will be explained to the students and the parents on a yearly basis.

Tests

In grades seven through twelve, students will be tested periodically to help them determine whether they have mastered the objectives of the course as defined and determined by the teacher. The test vehicles should include a variety of question methods. Teach-ers are encouraged to use as many as possible of the following: sentence completion, responding to questions in complete sentences, matching exercises, and questions which would need a response of more than one sentence (length depending upon grade level). Tests are to be given at appropriate times throughout the school year to determine that students are accountable for the material being taught. The grades that students receive on such tests will be a major factor in determining the students' grades.

Final Examination

The high school principal is responsible for developing a school policy concerning the giving of final examinations and distributing said policy to teachers and students at the beginning of each school year.

Grade Book

The grades which appear on the report cards are to be substantiated by the grades recorded in the teacher's grade book. Students will be permitted to make up all schoolwork that is missed due to ex-cused absen

Notification

Parents of students in grades K-8 and all students will be advised of this policy on a yearly basis.

Policy 5121