5.11 THE GRADING SYSTEM
Home > About Uni > School Policies > Student Handbook > 5.11
n Student Responsibilities — It is the position of the school that students are responsible not only for their own learning but also share a responsibility with their classmates for the learning of the whole group. If the classroom behavior of a student is such that the learning of other students is impeded, it might be appropriate that the student’s participation grade be lowered on the grounds of failure to live up to his/her class responsibilities. This must be delineated in the syllabus.
Such a possibility should be clearly understood by the students at the beginning of the class, and every effort made to modify student behaviors, using the resources of the parent(s)/guardian(s), executive teacher, counseling office, and school administration.
n Notification and Keeping of Grades — Quarterly grades are mailed to the student’s parent(s) or guardian(s); another copy is kept in the student’s cumulative file. The quarterly grades issued to a student are one of the major forms of communication between the school and the parent(s) or guardian(s). Each department will have on file with the Executive Teacher of the department, the Student Services Office, and the school Assistant Director, the rationale followed by members of the department in assigning grades. The grading system used, whether cumulative or competency-based, will be an outgrowth of stated course objectives. Both course objectives and grading method will be communicated to students within the first week of instruction, in writing.
n Purpose and Definition of Grades — The grading system is designed to report progress from the first day of class through the date of issuance of each report. Learning is cumulative and the demonstration of skills and knowledge must be evident at the end of a course to satisfy the objectives. The student and the teacher should both be clear as to these objectives.
Progress Report Grades are given for achievement and for effort. A definition of the grade is as follows:
A Excellent
B Very Good
C Creditable
D Passing
F Failing
P/F Pass/Fail (Indicates work is a passing grade or is a failing grade)
WP Withdraw Passing
WF Withdraw Failing
NOTE: Pluses and minuses are given for academic feedback from the teacher but are not calculated into the GPA.
n Incomplete Work — Teachers may report an “Incomplete” for a quarter grade for students who need an extension. Students have two weeks to complete the quarter requirements. In such cases, the student’s quarter report will display an “I.” The student and the teacher must complete the Incomplete Contract Form, sign, and submit a copy to the SSO secretary, by the last day of the quarter..
Teachers convert “Incompletes” by entering the grade within two weeks of the end of the quarter. The teacher should notify the secretary that the changes have been entered into the computer grade program so that new grade reports can be sent out after the changes are made. . If students do not complete the work within two weeks after the end of the quarter, the incomplete is automatically converted to an “F.”
Exceptions to this policy must have the approval of the Assistant Director.
n Classroom Concerns — Parent(s)/guardian(s) are requested to voice classroom concerns first to the teacher, then to the department’s Executive Teacher, then to the Assistant Director, and finally to the Director/Principal.
n Grading Grievance — Students and parent(s)/guardian(s) may ask a teacher to explain how a grade was determined for an exam, project, paper, or the course. If grading concerns cannot be resolved through direct discussion with the teacher, they should then be taken to the department’s Executive Teacher. Any further requests for grade changes must follow the formal appeal procedure.
Formal appeals for grade changes must be directed in writing to the Assistant Director. The Assistant Director will review the information, investigate the grievance, and communicate a decision in writing. This decision may be appealed to the Director/Principal within two school days after the student has received the written decision from the Assistant Director. The Director/ Principal will make the final decision on the grade change appeal and communicate the decision in writing to the student, parent(s) or guardian(s), teacher, and Executive Teacher of the department.
Grade changes are made only if evidence indicates a miscalculation or “capricious grading” practices by the teacher. “Capricious grading,” as used here, constitutes only the following:
1. The assignment of a grade to a particular student on some basis other than performance in the course.
2. The assignment of a grade to a particular student by resorting to more exacting or demanding standards than were applied to other students in that course.
3. The assignment of a grade by a substantial departure from the instructor’s previously announced standards.
n Grade Point Average —Effective with the 2006-2007 school year, grades will be collected each semester and all semester grades will count toward the GPA. There will be no end of the year grade.
The following procedures are used in calculating grade point averages at Uni:
• Grade point averages are calculated on a 4-point scale (A=4, B = 3, C = 2, D = 1, F = 0).
• Physical Education and Driver Education are not included in the calculation of GPA.
• Courses with Pass/Fail grades are not included in the GPA.
• Pluses and minuses are not included in the GPA.
• The GPA shown on the student transcript includes only work completed at University Laboratory High School.
• No summer school work or college courses concurrently taken outside Uni High are included in the GPA calculation.
• The GPA is calculated using the semester grades of year long courses beginning in 2006-2007 and the semester grade of a semester-long course. If a course is repeated, both final grades are reported on the transcript but only the repeated course grade is included in the GPA calculation.
NOTE: Due to our selective admission practices, University Laboratory High School does NOT rank students numerically.
5.12 AP EXAMS
Advanced Placement (AP) examinations are part of a program administered by the College Board. Through the AP program, students who score within a certain range may be eligible to receive either college credit or advanced placement in certain curricular areas. However, there are widely varying policies among colleges with regard to the awarding of course credit for AP test performance.
n When Are Students Ready to Take AP Exams? The following characteristics illustrate when a student would typically be in the best position to benefit from participation in the AP Exam program:
1. The student is usually (but not always) a junior or senior.
2. The student understands the policy of awarding AP credit at the college to which he/she has applied (or plans to apply). This knowledge would be obtained through discussions with admissions personnel or reference to applicable college and university catalogs.
3. The student has discussed his/her academic preparedness with a faculty member from that specific discipline.
4. The student has considered the investment of time needed for review and preparedness, especially since AP tests are given during the weeks just prior to final examinations.
n Who Is the AP Coordinator at Uni High? Uni’s Guidance Counselor is the testing coordinator.
n How Do Colleges/Universities Award AP Credit? This is specific to the institution. Students should read through college literature that is sent to them from specific colleges and universities that interest them. (Students may also want to look at college/university homepages — there is usually a site listing all scores accepted for AP credit.) As always, students/families should feel free to call a college directly for more detailed information.
n What are the Advanced Placement Subjects? See your counselor or Ellen in the SSO.
Important: Students and parent(s)/guardian(s) should remember that advanced placement is awarded by the college or university, not by the College Board. While advanced placement may be awarded after analysis of the student’s entire record (rather than the score alone), it is not automatic. Some institutions specify additional courses or other requirements for college credit through the AP program.