Beginning last school year, in Consultation, Alliance representatives and administration representatives have been working on the details of a new grading policy for SAISD. A state law passed in 2009 states that school districts must establish a grading policy that requires teachers to grade students' assignments based on their relative mastery of the assignment. The law expressly states that districts "may not require a classroom teacher to assign a minimum grade for an assignment without regard to the student's quality of work," as many districts, including SAISD had been doing. SAISD’s new grading policy has been approved whereby teachers give the actual grade that a student makes on an assignment or assessment rather than giving a minimum grade of 50.
State law also states that district policies may allow students a "reasonable opportunity" to make up or redo an assignment or test if they received a failing grade. In the Administrative Procedures and Policy Review Committee, Alliance representatives and administration representatives have been at work on the administrative procedures that will accompany the new board policy. Over the past month, the Alliance solicited feedback, via a survey, on the proposed procedures. 271 teachers responded to the survey on which respondents were asked to note their agreement or disagreement with the proposed language. Results were as follows:
At least once per grading period, a student who earns a failing grade on an assignment shall be given one opportunity to redo the assignment following additional instruction or intervention. 86% Agree 14% Disagree
Additionally, at least once per grading period, a student who earns a failing grade on an examination shall be given one opportunity to retake the examination following additional instruction or intervention. 81% Agree 19% Disagree
If the grade on the retake assignment or examination is 70 or above, the original grade shall be replaced and recorded as a 70. 81% Agree 85 % Disagree
If the grade on the retake assignment or examination is below a 70, the higher of the two grades shall be recorded. 85% Agree 15% Disagree
Respondents who marked “Disagree” had the opportunity to give their rationale. Alliance president Shelley Potter presented the data from the survey to the Administrative Procedures and Policy Review Committee on October 21, where an in-depth discussion took place about topics such as student effort, college readiness and rigor, student attendance, student accountability, AP classes, and fairness, It was also apparent from some comments that certain aspects of the proposal may not have been clear to everyone. The new draft language is as follows:
Following additional instruction or intervention, students will have one opportunity to redo one failing assignment in each subject per grading period; however, a teacher may, at his or her discretion, permit students to redo additional failing assignments.
Following additional instruction or intervention, students will have one opportunity to retake one failing assessment in each subject per grading period; however, a teacher may, at his or her discretion, permit students to redo additional failing assessments.
If the grade on the retake assignment or examination is 70 or above, the original grade shall be replaced and recorded as a 70.
If the grade on the retake assignment or examination is below 70, the higher of the two grades shall be recorded.
This draft will be discussed at the November 10 Consultation meeting and, barring any changes at that meeting, will move forward.
Copyright 2010 San Antonio Alliance of Teachers and Support Personnel