The goals of the new GCS Grading Practices/Guidelines are:

• To ensure that all students are given sufficient opportunities to demonstrate their comprehension of a subject or course.    

• To provide direction to all teachers in expected grading practices for the various subjects taught at each grade level.

Beginning this school year, Gaston County Schools has established countywide Grading Practices/Guidelines for grades 3-12 to ensure that students are given sufficient opportunities to demonstrate their comprehension of a subject or course.  

In the past, GCS like many other districts in the state, had no countywide grading guidelines or practices that outlined how much a quiz, homework or a major test would count.  Nor did the district have guidelines for the minimum number of tests that must be given in a course.  Therefore, it was left to each school or the classroom teacher to decide whether to give one or six tests and the value of a test as compared to homework, class work or a special project assignment. 

The new guidelines provide standard grading practices for GCS elementary, middle and senior high schools. The grading practices ensure that all students are given ample opportunity to show evidence of their skills or mastery of a subject or course and that a student has learned the basic skills and knowledge for a given subject.  The new guidelines also explain grading expectations for students and teachers and the grading scale or what percent constitutes an A, B, C, etc. for students in 3-12. 

The Grading Practices/Guidelines are aligned with the State Standard Course of Study, which means it will help teachers ensure that students are prepared for state tests.

Grading Expectations
Elementary, middle and senior high grades reflect student performance on the various subjects (such as English, math, etc.) at each grade level in the North Carolina Standard Course of Study. Student grades are based on tests, quizzes, projects, assignments, homework, performances, etc. with different percentages.  Grades for assignments are based on the importance and time spent on the activity.

The Grading Practices/Guidelines for middle school apply to the following subjects in the North Carolina Standard Course of Study:  language arts, math, science, social studies, health and physical education, career technical education courses, foreign language and fine arts – art, chorus and band.  A grading period for elementary and middle school is nine weeks.  A report card with the student’s grade is sent home every nine weeks and interim progress reports are sent home midway between the nine weeks.  The report card distribution dates are listed on the school calendar.  

Nine-week grade percentages for each subject   
The nine-week grade for each subject at the middle school level will be determined using the following percentages:

• 50 % – major tests, projects, papers, performances, etc. 
• 40 % – daily assignments, class work, quizzes, etc. 
• 10 % – homework

Nine-week grading requirements for each subject 

• In each subject during the nine-week grading period, students will be required to complete a minimum of three tests and nine daily assignments, and other work assigned by the teacher.  
• This is the minimum expectation.  A teacher may give additional assignments, tests, homework, etc. depending on the subject and material being covered and the needs of the students. 

Homework 

• Homework counts 10 (%) percent.

• Homework Assignments – Homework assignments should strengthen and provide practice in skills that are taught in class.  

• Homework should not be given as a punishment. 

Middle School Grading Scale
The middle school grading scale is:

• A – 93-100 
• B – 85-92 
• C – 77-84 
• D – 70-76 
• F – 60-69

• NOTE:  A 60 is the lowest grade a teacher may record on the report card.  

• The comment section on the report card will be used to indicate that the final nine week grade is below 60.  

• Interim reports will reflect actual grades.

Please note the following expectations  

• If a child is working below grade level, it must be noted in the comments section of the report card. 
• Misconduct or punishment should not influence how a teacher determines grades. 
• Parents may discuss their child’s grades with the teacher on a regular basis. Teachers will communicate frequently with the student and parent.  
• Teachers will work to ensure that students have ample opportunities to demonstrate their understanding of the subject. 

Teacher responsibility to parents
Teachers will provide a copy of their grading practices to the principal, students and parents.

Parent Portal on Website
The district plans to put into service a Parent Portal on the GCS website.  The portal would allow parents to follow the progress of their child (only) throughout the year. The implementation of the Parent Portal depends on the State Department of Public Instruction completing the process at the state level.