elementary grading handbook 20192020...elementary grading handbook * 2019-2020 3 5. grades shall be...

ElementaryGradingHandbook2019-2020

ElementaryCurriculumandProfessionalDevelopment

ElementaryGradingHandbook*2019-2020 1

TABLEOFCONTENTSElementarySchoolGradingProceduresGrades1-5...........................................................................2

ElementarySchoolGradingProceduresPreKandK..........................................................................4

GradingGuidelinesPreK–5th

A.Prekindergarten........................................................................................................................................6

B.Kindergarten...............................................................................................................................................7

C.PrekindergartenandKindergarten.................................................................................................7

D.1st-5thGrades..............................................................................................................................................7

E.AveragingGrades......................................................................................................................................8

F.GradeBook.................................................................................................................................................9

G.Homework...................................................................................................................................................9

H.HonorRoll....................................................................................................................................................9

I.Make-UpWork...........................................................................................................................................9

J.NumberofGrades...................................................................................................................................10

K.ParentConferences..............................................................................................................................10

L.ProgressReports....................................................................................................................................10

M.Promotion................................................................................................................................................10

N.ReportCards............................................................................................................................................11

O.Retention...................................................................................................................................................11

P.SpecialEducationStudents...............................................................................................................11

Q.SpecialPrograms...................................................................................................................................12

R.StudentSuccessInitiative.................................................................................................................12

S.SummerSchool.......................................................................................................................................12

T.TransferGradesforTransferringwithinKISD.......................................................................13

U.TransferGradesforStudentsfromOut-of-District...............................................................14

APPENDICESAppendixA–HomeworkProcedures.............................................................................................................15AppendixB–MoviesintheClassroom..........................................................................................................17AppendixC–StudentRecords...........................................................................................................................18AppendixD–SpecialEducationGradingInformation............................................................................19


KILLEENINDEPENDENTSCHOOLDISTRICTElementarySchoolGradingProcedures

Grades1-5

1. Summative assessments account for 55% of a student’s 9 weeks average. Graded formativeassessmentsaccountfor45%ofastudent’s9weeksgrade.• Formative-anassessmentforlearningthatoccursduringthelearningprocessandprovides

informationtobothteachersandstudentsandenablesthemtomakeadjustmentstoincreaselearning.Formativeassessmentsthatmightbeusedforgradingpurposesincludedailywork,performance assessments, guided or independent practice, quizzes, labs, draft essays orcompositions.

• Summative – an assessment of learning that occurs after instruction to determine whatstudentsknow,understand, andcandoatonepoint in time. Summativeassessments thatmightbeused forgrades includeend-of-unitassessments,majorprojectsorproducts, finalessaysorcompositions.

• Summative grades are to be derived from different summative assessments, not onesummativeassessmentcounting2or3ormoretimes.

2. Number of Grades - A teacher should have a sufficient quantity and variety of assessments

duringthegradingperiodtoaccuratelyreflectacademicachievement.• Elementary teachers (grades1-5)will recordaminimumof seven formativegradesand

threesummativegradesper9weeksgradingperiodformath,science,andsocialstudies.• Elementary teachers (grades 1-5)will record aminimum of eight formative grades and

foursummativegrades per9weeksgradingperiod forLanguageArts. There shallbeanequal number of grades between Reading and Written/Oral Communication, so that onesubjectisnotweightedunfairly.

3. LanguageArts -Thereadingandwritten/oral communicationgradingperiodaverageswillbe

combinedforacompositeLanguageArts9weeksaverageusingthefollowingweights:• 1stand2ndgrades: Readinggrade=75%LAaverage

Written/OralCommunication=25%ofLAaverageOfthis25%,thespellinggradewillaccountfor5%

• 3rd,4th,5thgrades: Readinggrade=50%ofLAaverageWritten/OralCommunication=50%ofLAaverageOfthis50%,thespellinggradewillaccountfor5%

4. The Language Arts composite grademust reflect a student’s mastery of the standards (as

outlinedintheTEKSandintheTEKSResourceSystem)inallareasofLanguageArtsandReading.

• 1st,2nd,and3rdgradereadinggradesaretoreflectastudent’sprogresstowardmasteryofstandards in beginning reading skills and strategies, grade level reading fluency andcomprehension,vocabularydevelopment,andcomprehensionofavarietyoftexts.

• 4th and 5th grade reading grades are to reflect a student’s progress toward mastery ofstandards in grade level reading fluency and comprehension, vocabulary development, andcomprehensionofavarietyoftexts.

• 1st–5thgradewrittenandoralcommunicationgradesaretoreflectastudent’sprogresstowardmasteryof standards in thewritingprocess, avarietyof student compositions,oralandwrittenconventions,research,listeningandspeaking.


5. Gradesshallbeposted/recordedinatimelymanner,nolaterthan5instructionaldaysfromdatereceivedwithexceptiongivenforprojects.

6. Grades shall be based on individual student mastery of state standards (Texas EssentialKnowledge and Skills) and the district curriculum. Grades should reflect a student’s academicachievement for the grading period, semester, or course. Each assignment shall carry a gradeweightofnotmorethan1.0.

7. Gradesmustreflectaccommodationsandinstructionalmodificationsasspecifiedbyappropriate

campuscommitteessuchasARD,504,LPAC,etc.

8. Grades of “zero” assigned forwork not completed (other than those due to absences)may bechangedupon the completionandsubmissionof suchassignmentsby the student.The teacherwillhavediscretionoverthegradeassignedwithintheparametersofthecampusordepartmentgradingprocedures.• Any grade changes after the grading period closes will require the teacher to contact the

campusadministrator.

9. Astudentshallbepermittedoneopportunitytoredoanyassignmentorretakeanytestforwhichthe student received a failing grade. The student or parent must request the additionalopportunity within 10 days of the grade being posted in the grade book. Campuses maydetermineadditionalandmorespecificcriteria.

10. Semester averages are obtained by averaging the two nine week grading periods. Yearly

averagesarecalculatedbyaveragingthefirstandsecondsemesteraverages.Promotionisbasedontheyearlyaverages.

[AdministrativeProceduresIV-Q]


KILLEENINDEPENDENTSCHOOLDISTRICTElementarySchoolGradingProceduresPrekindergartenandKindergarten

Prekindergarten and kindergarten grading procedures measure each student’s progress towardmastery of the learning standards outlined in the Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines and theKindergartenTexasEssentialKnowledgeandSkills.

1. Grades shall be based on the individual student mastery of state standards (TexasPrekindergarten Guidelines and Kindergarten Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) and thedistrictcurriculum.Gradesshouldreflectastudent’smasteryoftheacademicstandardsforeachgrading period as outlined and specified in the district prekindergarten curriculum andkindergartenTEKSResourceSystemdocuments.

2. Number of Grades - A teacher should have a sufficient quantity and variety of assessments

during the grading period to accurately reflect a student’s progress toward mastery of thelearningstandards.• Ongoingformativeassessmentsarerecordedinagradebookordocumentedinanassessment

binder/portfolio.• Thefinalsummativegradeforthe9weekswillberecordedonthereportcard.Thenumber

of summative gradeswill vary dependingupon the number of standards taughtduring thegradingperiod.

3. Summative 9weeks grades are based on theprekindergarten and kindergarten grading rubricandreflecteachstudent’smasteryofthestandardattheendofthenineweeks.• Thestandardexpectationsareincreasedeach9weeks;therefore,thefinalsummativegrade

inthe2nd9weeksshouldreflectthechild’sacademicprogressforfirstsemester,andthefinalsummativegradeinthe4thnineweeksshouldreflectthechild’smasteryofthestandardsattheendoftheyear.

• Appropriateassessmentsusedinprekindergartenandkindergartenmightincludeanecdotalnotes, observations, checklists, performance indicators, end-of-unit assessments,word lists,readingrecords,etc.

4. GradesmustreflectaccommodationsandinstructionalmodificationsasspecifiedbyappropriatecampuscommitteessuchasARD,504,LPAC,etc.

5. Studentsarenotretainedinprekindergarten.Kindergartenstudentsareretainedonlybyparentrequest.

PrekindergartenandKindergartenGradingRubric:3+ Exceedsstandards:Inadditiontoa3,thestudentmakes

applicationsandinferencesbeyondexpectations.

3 Meetsstandardsconsistentlyandindependently

2 Progressingtowardmeetingstandards

1 Limitedprogressordoesnotmeetstandards

Notassessedatthistime


6. PrekindergartenstudentsdoNOTreceiveareportcardforthe1st9weeks.Teachersaretohaveaconferencewitheachparentduringthefinaltwoweeksofthe1st9weeksandnolaterthantheendofthefirstweekofthe2nd9weeks.Attheconference,theteacherprovidestheparentwiththe“PrekindergartenParentConferenceReport.”TheCIRCLEassessmentreportshouldbereviewedduringtheparentconferenceANDsenthomeattheendofthe1st9weeksinlieuofareportcard.


GradingGuidelinesElementarySchoolsPreK-5th

The purpose of the grading and reporting of student progress is to engage educators,students,andparentsinapartnershiptoincreasestudentlearning.Thegradesearnedbyastudentareameasureofthestudent’smasteryofthegradelevelTexasEssentialKnowledgeandSkills(TEKS)andthePreKGuidelinesapprovedbytheStateBoardofEducation.Studentsare required to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to read, write, compute,problemsolve,thinkcritically,applytechnology,andcommunicateacrossallsubjectareas.

A.PrekindergartenThe prekindergarten report card is a standards-based continuum aligned with the TexasPrekindergartenGuidelines and theKISDPreK Scope and Sequence. Students in prekindergartenwillbeevaluatedusinga3-pointassessmentrubric.Prekindergarten studentswill receive a report card every 9weeksbeginningwith the second9weeks. Teachersaretoconferencewitheachparentduringthefinaltwoweeksofthe1stgradingperiodandno later thanthe firstweekof the2nd9weeksandsharethestudent’sprogress for thegradingperiod.Attheconference,theteacherprovidestheparentwiththe“PrekindergartenParentConferenceReport.”Itisrecommendedthatteacherssharethegradingprocessandthereportcardrubricwithparentsduringtheconference.TheCIRCLEStudentSummaryreportissenthomeattheend of the 1st 9weeks in lieu of a report card. TheCIRCLE assessmentwill provide parentswithinformation on their child’s degree of development in letter naming, vocabulary, phonologicalawareness,andmathematics.Thefinalsummativegradeinthe4thnineweeksshouldreflectthechild’smasteryofthestandardsatthe end of the year. This final, end of year grade is to be recorded on each student’s permanentrecord,andacopyofthereportcardmustbeattachedtothepermanentrecord.Studentsenrolledinthe3-year-oldprekindergartenprogramwillnotreceivereportcards.Theywillreceivetwoprogressreportsper9-weekgradingperiod.








B.KindergartenThe kindergarten report card is a standards-based continuum aligned with the Texas EssentialKnowledgeandSkillsandtheTEKSResourceSystemdocuments. Students inkindergartenwillbeevaluatedusinga3-pointassessmentrubric.

Students in kindergarten are not retained unless a parent/guardian requests retention inwriting.Theretentionrequestistobeplacedinthestudent’scumulativefolder.Thefinalsummativegradeinthe4thnineweeksshouldreflectthechild’smasteryofthestandardsatthe end of the year. This final, end of year grade is to be recorded on each student’s permanentrecord,andacopyofthereportcardmustbeattachedtothepermanentrecord.C.Pre-KindergartenandKindergartenGradingPracticesTeachersaretoassessprekindergartenandkindergartenstudentsinanongoing,authenticmannerthroughoutthenineweeksgradingperiod.

• Thispracticewillavoidthenecessityofinterruptinginstructiontoassessallstudentsduringthelastweeksofthegradingperiod.

• Informalmethods should be the primary formof documenting progress in early childhoodclassroomsinordertoensurethatteachingandassessingarecomplementary,integrated,andauthentic.

• Agradebookorassessmentbinder/portfoliomustbeusedtodocumentstudentprogressandreportcardgrades.

• GradesforPre-KindergartenandKindergartenstudentsarerecordedinthedistrict-adoptedelectronicgradebook.

D.1st-5thGradesThe1st–5thgradereportcardsarebasedupontheTexasEssentialKnowledgeandSkillsandalignedwiththeTEKSResourceSystemdocuments.

1.NumericalGrades:• Numerical grades are required in language arts average, reading, written and oral

communication,mathematics,socialstudies,andscience/healthforgrades1-5.• Thegradesaretoreflect thestudent’srelativemasteryof theTexasEssentialKnowledge

andSkills(TEKS)foreachsubject.• The teachermaynotassignaminimumgrade foranassignmentwithoutregard to

thestudent’squalityofwork(TexasEducationCode28.0216).• Thenumericalgradeof70%representsminimalpassing.








• NumericalGradingKey:Ø 90to100=Excellentprogress/Studentdemonstratesconsistentandindependent

comprehensionandapplicationofsubjectmatter.Ø 80to89=Above-averageprogress/Studentdemonstratesfrequentcomprehension

andapplicationofsubjectmatter.Ø 75to79=Averageprogress/Studentdemonstratesadequatecomprehensionand

applicationofsubjectmatter.Ø 70to74=Minimalpassing,improvementneeded/Studentdemonstratesinadequate

comprehensionandapplicationofsubjectmatter.Ø Below70=Notpassingorperformingatthelevelneededtoearnpromotion/Student

demonstrateslittleornocomprehensionandapplicationofsubjectmatter.

2.LetterGrades:• Lettergradesareusedtoreportstudentprogressinmusic,physicaleducation,andart.• ThegradesaretoreflectthedegreeofmasteryoftheTexasEssentialKnowledgeandSkills

(TEKS)foreachofthesesubjectareas.• Thelettergradeof“N”willrepresentminimalpassing.• LetterGradingKey:

Ø E = Excellent – Student demonstrates mastery, understanding, and/or performanceabovethenormallyexpectedlevelofastudentatthesamegradelevel.

Ø S=Satisfactory–Studentdemonstratesmastery,understanding,and/orperformanceatthenormallyexpectedlevelforhis/hergradelevel.

Ø N = Needs Improvement – Student is progressing, but does not yet demonstratemastery, understanding, and/or performanceat the expected level forhis/her gradelevel.

Ø U = Unsatisfactory – Student is not progressing and does not demonstratemastery,understanding,and/orperformanceattheexpectedlevel.

Theabovesystemofnumericalandlettergradeswillbeusedtoindicategradesonprogress

reports,reportcards,andpermanentrecords.

E.AveragingGrades1. LanguageArtsAverage:

• ReadingandWritten/OralCommunicationgradeswillbecombinedfortheLanguageArtsaverage.

• Thesesubjectswillbeweighted.1stand2ndgrades: Readinggrade=75%ofLAaverage Written/OralCommunication=25%ofLAaverage. Ofthis25%,thespellinggradewillaccountfor5%.3rd,4th,5thgrades: Readinggrade=50%ofLAaverage

Written/OralCommunication=50%ofLAaverage Ofthis50%,thespellinggradewillaccountfor5%.2. Ifweightedgradesareusedinothersubjects,theweightsaretobedefinedbythecampus,are

tobeconsistentforallteachersinthegradelevel,andmustbecommunicatedtoparents.3. Eachassignmentshallcarryagradeweightofnotmorethan1.04. Semester averages are obtained by averaging the two nine week grading periods. Yearly

averagesarecalculatedbyaveragingthefirstandsecondsemesteraverages.• Promotionisbasedontheyearlyaverages.• Semester averages and yearly averages are recorded on the permanent record card in

blackink.


F.GradeBooks

• Gradesfor1stto5thgradestudentsarerecordedinthedistrict-adoptedelectronicgradebook.• Theelectronicgradebookmustdocumenttheassignmentorskill,thegrade,andthedateof

theassignment.• Gradesshallbeposted/recordedinatimelymanner,nolaterthan5instructionaldays

fromdatereceivedwithexceptiongivenforprojects.• Documentationofgradesisrequiredbythestate,andgradebooksaresubjecttoaudit.• Education Code 28.0216 states that the grading policy “may not require a classroom

teacher toassignaminimumgrade foranassignmentwithout regard to the student’squalityofwork;andmayallowastudentareasonableopportunitytomakeuporredoaclassassignmentorexaminationforwhichthestudentreceivedafailinggrade.”§ Astudentshallbepermittedoneopportunitytoredoanyassignmentorretakeanytestfor

which the student received a failing grade. The student or parent must request theadditional opportunity within 10 days of the grade being posted in the grade book.Campusesmaydetermineadditionalandmorespecificcriteria.

[AdministrativeProceduresIV-Q]G.HomeworkThe Killeen Independent School District endorses the use of homework as a researched-basedinstructionalstrategythatcanincreasestudentachievement,fosterindependenceandresponsibility,andserveasavitallinkbetweenschoolandhome.RefertohomeworkproceduresinAppendixA.H.HonorRoll

1. HonorRollstudentswillberecognizedeverynineweeks.2. Studentsenrolledinspecialprogramsaretobeincludedinhonorrollrecognition.3. AllAHonorRollrequiresanaverageof90andaboveinallthefourcoresubjects(Math,ELA,

Science,SocialStudies)andnounsatisfactorygrades(U).4. A/B Honor Roll requires all grades above 80 with a minimum of at least one A and no

unsatisfactorygrades(U).5. DistrictAcademicAwardsattheendofeachsemesterarebasedonsemesteraveragesof90

andaboveinallthefourcoresubjectsandnounsatisfactorygrades(U).

I.Make-UpWork Studentsabsentfromschoolshallhavetheopportunitytomakeupallschoolworkassignedduringtheirabsence.

1. Workassignedpriortothestudent’sabsenceshallbeturnedinorcompletedonthedaythestudentreturnstoschool.

2. For any class missed, the teacher may assign the student make-up work based on theinstructionalobjectives for the subjector courseand theneedsof the individual student inmasteringtheessentialknowledgeandskillsorinmeetingsubjectorcourserequirements.

3. A student shall be responsible for obtaining and completing the make-up work in asatisfactorymannerandwithinthetimespecifiedbytheteacher.

4. Studentsshallreceivecreditforsatisfactorymake-upworkafteranunexcusedabsence.Thehighestgrade,however,forsatisfactorymake-upworkafteranunexcusedabsenceshallbeagradeof50percent. [KISDSchoolBoardPolicyEIABLocal]


J.NumberofGrades A teacher shouldhavea sufficientqualityandvarietyof assessmentsduring thegradingperiod toaccuratelyreflectacademicachievement.

• Elementaryteachers(grades1-5)willrecordaminimumofsevenformativegradesandthreesummativegradesper9weeksgradingperiodformath,science,andsocialstudies.

• Elementaryteachers(grades1-5)willrecordaminimumofeightformativegradesandfoursummativegradesper9weeksgradingperiodforLanguageArts.ThereshallbeanequalnumberofgradesbetweenReadingandWritten/OralCommunication,sothatonesubjectisnotweightedunfairly.

[KISDSchoolBoardPolicyEIALocal]TheSuperintendentordesigneeshallensurethateachcampusorinstructionalleveldevelopsguidelinesforteacherstofollowindetermininggradesforstudents.Theseguidelinesshallensurethatgradingreflectsastudent’srelativemasteryofanassignmentand thatasufficient number of grades are taken to support the grade average assigned. Guidelines for gradingshallbeclearlycommunicatedtostudentsandparents.K.ParentConferences Teachers shall schedule conferenceswithparents inaccordancewithBoardexpectationsandwithguidelinesasestablishedinthecampusplans.Conferencesmayberequestedbyateacherorparentasneeded.

[KISDSchoolBoardPolicyEIALocal]

L.ProgressReportsInterimprogress reportsshallbe issued forall studentsat themidpointof eachgradingperiod inelementary grades (PK-Grade 5). Supplemental progress reports may be issued at the teacher’sdiscretion.

[KISDSchoolBoardPolicyEIALocal]M.Promotion Astudentmaybepromotedonlyonthebasisofacademicachievementordemonstratedproficiencyofthesubjectmatterofthecourseorgradelevel.[TexasEducationCode28.021a]

• Ingrades1-5,promotiontothenextgradelevelshallbebasedonthefollowing:Ø anoverall yearly averageof70orabove in languagearts,mathematics, science, and

socialstudies(compositeaverageofall4coresubjects);ANDØ ayearlyaverageof70oraboveinlanguageartsandmathematics.

[KISDSchoolBoardPolicyEIELocal]• Aretainedstudent isprovidedtheopportunity toearnpromotionbyattendingthedistrict-

providedextendedyearprogram(summerschool).Attendingsummerschooldoesnotresultin “automatic promotion.” Promotion must be earned by meeting BOTH the attendancerequirementsandtheacademicachievementinsummerschoolasdemonstratedbysummerschoolgradesandendofsummerschoolassessments.

Astudentwhoattendsatleast90percentoftheextended-yearprogramdaysandwhosatisfiestherequirementsforpromotion(academicachievementordemonstratedproficiencyofthesubjectmatterofthecourseorgradelevel)shallbepromotedtothenextgradelevelatthebeginningofthenextschoolyear.[KISDSchoolBoardPolicyEIELegal]

• A student may be retained in the current grade level, but the negative consequences ofretentionshouldbeconsidered.

• Inadditiontothelocalpromotionrequirementoutlinedabove,5thgradestudentsmustalsopassthestateassessment(STAAR)inbothmathandreadinginordertobepromotedto6thgrade(seeitemR,StudentSuccessInitiative,foradditionalinformation).


N.ReportCardsInaccordancewithlocalBoardPolicyEIA(Local)reportcardswillbeissuedevery9weeks.

• ElectronicprogressreportsandreportcardsareusedforgradesPreK-5.• Prekindergarten3-yearoldprogramwillNOThavea report card;parentswillbeprovided

informationintheformof2progressreportspergradingperiod.• Forallgradelevels,teachersareencouragedtowritecommentsonprogressreportsorreport

cards as a positiveway of developing the home-school collaboration necessary for studentsuccess.

O. RetentionThedistrict shall establishproceduresdesigned to reduceretainingstudentsat agrade level,withtheultimategoalbeingeliminationofthepracticeofretainingstudents.

[KISDSchoolBoardPolicyEIELocal]

P. SpecialEducationStudents1. ReportCardsandProgressReports

The same KISD report cards, programs, and distribution schedule will be used for specialeducationstudents.

2. SpecialEducationIEPProgressReports• Parentsmustbeinformedoftheirchild’sprogresstowardmasteryofidentifiedIEPgoals

andobjectives.• AspecialeducationIEPprogressreportmustbeincludedwiththereportcardeachnine

weeks,orasindicatedbytheARDcommitteereport.• TheIEPprogressreportmustindicatetheextenttowhichprogressissufficienttoenable

thechildtoachievetheIEPgoalsbytheendoftheyear.Thefollowingindicationswouldbe appropriate: no progress, some progress, good progress, almost complete, andmastered, coupledwith specific data to justify the rating.Measurable progressmust bedocumented on the progress report. A present level of performance of academicachievementforeachgoalmustbeshownontheprogressreport. Forexample: Atthistime,thestudentisabletocompletethetasklistedintheIEPgoalinoneoutoffivetrials,or20%masteryrate.

3. SpecialEducationPromotionRequirements• Inorderforastudentidentifiedasneedingspecialeducationservicestoearnpromotion

fromonegradeleveltothenext,thestudentmustmeetthegoalsandobjectivesofhis/herIEP.

• The studentwith disabilities should be considered by the campus promotion/retentioncommitteeinthesamemannerasotherstudents.

• If the student fails to meet the expectations addressed in the IEP, an ARD committeemeeting must be held to review the IEP for appropriateness of goals and objectives,implementation ofmodifications, instructional levels,materials, andmethods. TheARDminutesmustdocumenttheeffortsmadetotrytohelpthestudentachievesuccess.

• The ARD committee will function as the GPC for the 5th grade special educationstudents who must meet Student Success Initiative requirements for promotion.Theadmission,review,anddismissalcommitteeofastudentwhoparticipatesinadistrict’sspecial education program under Subchapter B, Chapter 29, and who does not performsatisfactorilyonanassessmentinstrumentspecifiedunderSubsection(a)andadministeredunder Section 39.023(a) or (b) shall determine: (1) themanner in which the student will


participate in an accelerated instruction programunder this section; and (2)whether thestudentwillbepromotedorretainedunderthissection.TEC§28.0211

• For non-SSI grades, an ARD committee meeting is not necessary to considerpromotion/retentionunless:o Itappearsthatachangeinspecialeducationservicesmaybeneededo It appears that special education modification and services have not been

appropriatelyimplementedo Special education placement is so recent that it is inconclusive whether or not

modificationsandserviceshavehadtimetobeeffectivePleaserefertoAppendixDforadditionalSpecialEducationGradingInformation

Q.SpecialPrograms

1. EnglishLanguageLearners(ELL)Thelanguageproficiencyassessmentcommittee(LPAC)shalldetermineappropriateassessmentandacceleratedinstructionforanEnglishlanguagelearner(ELL)whoisadministeredagradeadvancementtestinEnglishorSpanish.

[KISDSchoolBoardPolicyEIELegal]2. StudentsWithDyslexia

Students who are identified as exhibiting dyslexia characteristics receive supplementalreadingservices. KilleenISDhasascientificallyresearch-baseddyslexiaprogramthat isoneveryelementarycampus. Thetypeofdyslexiaservicewillbedeterminedbythestudent’sSection504CommitteeorARDCommittee.• Studentswhoareidentifiedasdyslexicwillreceivetheirreadinggradesfromtheregular

classroomteacher.• Teachersaretorememberthatthesestudentsmayneedaccommodationsintheirregular

instruction.• Inmeasuringtheacademicachievementorproficiencyofastudentwhohasdyslexia,the

student’spotentialforachievementorproficiencyintheareamustbeconsidered.[TexasEducationCode28.021(b)]and[KISDSchoolBoardPolicyEIELegal]

R. StudentSuccessInitiative(SSI)andGradePromotionEnacted by the 76th Texas Legislature in 1999 andmodified by the 81st Texas Legislature in2009,theStudentSuccessInitiative(SSI)gradeadvancementrequirementsapplytotheStateofTexas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) reading andmathematics tests at grades 5and8.

AsspecifiedbySSIrequirements,a5thgradestudentmayadvanceto6thgradeonlybypassingthestate assessments in math and reading or by unanimous decision of the grade placementcommittee that the student is likely to perform at grade level after additional instruction. Ifneeded,5thgradestudentswillhavethreeopportunitiestopassthereadingand/ormathSTAAR.ThegoaloftheSSIistoensurethatallstudentsreceivetheinstructionandsupporttheyneedtobeacademicallysuccessfulinreadingandmathematics.

S.SummerSchool • Students enrolled during the current school year who meet the summer school eligibility

criteriawillbeinvitedtoattendsummerschool.• Summer School is an intervention for struggling learners who meet the eligibility

requirements.Itisnotanenrichmentprogram.• SummerSchoolstudentswhowereretainedattheendoftheschoolyearmayearnpromotion

tothenextgradeiftheydemonstratemasteryoftherequiredsummerschoolcurriculum.


• Aretainedstudent isprovidedtheopportunity toearnpromotionbyattendingthedistrict-providedextendedyearprogram(summerschool).Attendingsummerschooldoesnotresultin “automatic promotion.” Promotion must be earned by meeting BOTH the attendancerequirementsandtheacademicachievementinsummerschoolasdemonstratedbysummerschoolgradesandendofsummerschoolassessments.

A studentwho attends at least 90 percent of the extended-year program days andwho satisfies therequirementsforpromotion(academicachievementordemonstratedproficiencyofthesubjectmatterofthecourseorgradelevel)shallbepromotedtothenextgradelevelatthebeginningofthenextschoolyear.[KISDSchoolBoardPolicyEIELegal]

• Summer School is limited to 3-4 weeks of instruction; therefore, in addition to the 90%attendance requirement, instructional time isprotected by establishing a high standard forstudentbehavior.

• Guidelinesfordisciplineandattendancewillbepublishedandcommunicatedtoparentspriortothestartofsummerschool.

T.TransferGradesforStudentsTransferringwithinKISDForstudentswhotransferbetweenteachersatthesamecampusorfromoneKISDschooltoanother,gradesearnedwiththesendingteacherorcampusshouldberecordedinthegradebookofthereceivingteacher.Whenastudentchangesteacherswithinthesamecampusormovesfromonecampustoanotherduringagradingcycle,theteachersattheenrollingcampusshouldutilizetheImportAssignmentScoresfeature( )intheGradebook>Entrypage.

TheteacherattheenrollingcampuscanviewclassworkandaverageinformationfortransferstudentsfromtheClassworksectionintheStudentDetaildrawer.

U.TransferGradesforStudentsfromOut-of-DistrictTransferstudentswhohavebeeninattendanceforatleastfifteendaysofanine-weekgradingperiodshouldbeassignedgradesforthatperiod.


WhenastudentenrollsinaKISDschoolduringagradingcycle,teachersattheenrollingcampuswillentertheaverageprovidedbythewithdrawingdistrictintheirgradebookstocreatea‘startingpoint’averageforthestudent.Example:StudentenrollsinKISDcampuson1/24,bringingwithhiman85averageinScienceforthecurrentmarkingperiodfromhispreviousdistrict.TheKISDteacherentersan85intheblankscorefieldsforallassignmentsinhis/hergradebookwithduedatespriorto1/24.

NOTE:Reportcardgradesfrommarkingperiodscompletedatthepreviousdistrictcannotbeenteredinthegradebookbyteachersandmustbeprovidedtoyourcampusgradespersonnelforrecordinginthereportcardrecord.

When transfer students arrive with letter grades rather than numerical grades, KISD personnelshouldobtain(email,telephonecall,records,etc.)aconversionscalefromthepreviousschool. Ifaconversionscalecanbeobtained,theappropriatescalebelowshouldbeused:

Scores NumericalGradeE 4 95S 3 85N 2 75U 1 65

Score NumericalGrade3 952 801 65

LetterGrade NumericalGradeA+ 99A 95A- 92B+ 89B 85B- 82C+ 79C 77C- 75D+ 74D 72D- 70F 60


APPENDIXA:KILLEENINDEPENDENTSCHOOLDISTRICT

HomeworkProcedureI.PHILOSOPHYThe Killeen Independent School District endorses the use of homework as a researched-basedinstructionalstrategythatcanincreasestudentachievement,fosterindependenceandresponsibility,andserveasavitallinkbetweenschoolandhome.II.DEFINITIONHomeworkisdefinedasanylearningactivitycompletedbythestudentasanextensionofclassroominstruction, not including the self-assigned activities voluntarily undertaken by the student. Theadditionalpracticeandapplicationofknowledgeandskillsdeepensunderstandingandproficiency;thereby,increasingstudentachievement.III.TYPESOFHOMEWORKTeachersassigndifferenttypesofhomeworktoaccomplishspecificpurposes.1. Practice homework helps students master specific knowledge and skills that have been

presentedinclass.2. Preparationhomework isdesigned tomotivateorprepare students forknowledgeandskills

thattheyhavenotyetmastered.Teachersmayassignstudentstoreadtext,takenotesonreading,work on solving a problem thatwill illustrate the need to learn upcomingmaterial, or gatherinformationfromresourcesoutsideofclass.

3. Extensionhomeworkprovidesstudentstheopportunitytoapplyortransferspecificknowledgeand skills to a new situation or in an original response. Teachers may assign a writtencomposition, a demonstration, a compare/contract assignment, visual display, or technologypresentation.

NOTE: Class work that could have been completed during the class time allowed is not consideredhomeworkevenifthestudentisgiventheopportunitytocompletetheassignmentathome.IV.HOMEWORKGUIDELINES1. Practicehomeworkwillbeassignedonlywhenstudentshavehadguidedpracticeandaresecure

enoughinthoseskillstobeabletocompletethemindependentlyandsuccessfully.2. Homework or the threat of additional homeworkwill not be used to enforce discipline in the

classroom.3. Homework will not be assigned during the following times with an exception made for

study/reviewguides.1. Groupstandardizedtesting,district-approvedcriterion-referencedtests,andstate

assessments.2. Semesterexams(grades8-12)3. Officialschoolholidays(doesnotincludeteacherworkdays)

NOTE:Items1,2,and3applyonlytothosestudentswhoareinvolvedinthetesting.

NOTE: If long-term assignments are made, it is the responsibility of the teacher to plan thoseassignmentsandperiodicprogresschecksfortimesthatdonotcompelstudentstoworkduringholidays(e.g.,assignmentsshouldnotbemadeshortlybeforeholidaysandbedueshortlyafterholidays).


4. Therecommendedamountoftimethatstudentsspendonhomeworkvariesbygradelevel:K-2 Totalnottoexceed30minutesperday(includeslong-termprojects)3 Totalnottoexceed45minutesperday(includeslong-termprojects)4-5 Totalnottoexceed60minutesperday(includeslong-termprojects)• Teachers will consider the cumulative effect of homework assignments (i.e., math +language arts + social studies, etc.; one-day assignments + prorated time for long-termassignments+studyorreadingtime).

• It is anticipated that studentswill not have homework assignments in every class everyday.

• Timerecommendationsarefordiligentstudentstakingregular-levelclasses.Studentswhoworkmoreslowly,whoworkwithdistractions(television,iPods,textmessaging,radio,andcell phone interruptions) or who take honors-level classes (TAG, Pre-AP and AP) mayexceedtheseestimates.

• Itisthestudent’sresponsibilitytoproratethetimeneededforlong-termassignments.• Homework is one part of a multi-faceted evaluation program and is not to be the onlysourceofformativegrades.

• Studentswillreceivetimelyandmeaningfulfeedbackonhomeworkassignments.• KISDrecognizes that thereare timeswhenstudentswillnot completehomeworkwithinthedesignatedtimeframe.Eachcampusshalldefineproceduresfor“latehomework.”

• Whenhomeworkisassignedtoreinforceskills,thereshouldbeaconsistencybetweenthecontentandformatofmaterialpresentedinclassandhomeworkassignments.


AppendixB:

MoviesintheClassroom

Bylaw,whenateachershowsanymovie,video,ortelevisionprograminanyformat,heorshemustcomplywithChapter1,Section110ofthePublicLaw94-553[Title17oftheUnitedStatesCodeofCopyrights].http://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap1.html#107

Publicperformancesofamovieorotheraudiovisualworkintheface-to-faceclassroomisanexceptiontothepublicperformancerightandisthereforelawfulifallofthefollowingfourconditionsaremet:

• Theteachingactivitiesareconductedbyanon-profiteducationinstitution.• Theperformanceisinconnectionwithface-to-faceteachingactivities.• Theperformancetakesplaceinaclassroomorsimilarplacedevotedtoinstruction.• Thepersonresponsiblefortheperformancehasnoreasontobelievethatthecopyofthe

movieoraudiovisualworkshownwasunlawfullymade.

Ifanyofthefourconditionsdonotapply,thevideocanbelegallyshownifoneofthefollowingapplies:

• Youhaveobtainedpermissionfromthecopyrightowner.• Publicperformancerightsforthevideohavebeenpurchasedbytheteacherorcampus.All

conditionsofthepublicperformanceagreementmustbefollowed.• Thevideoisincludedinthecampus’MovieLicensingUSAcurrentlistoflicensedmovies(see

yourcampuslibrarian).Alltheconditionsofthelicensemustbefollowed.

Theuseofrentedmoviesasareward,asarainydayactivity,asanend-of-schoolortime-filleractivity,asarecreationorextra-curricularactivityisconsidereda

performanceanddoesnotqualifyundertheabovePublicLaw.

Teachersshouldexercisegoodprofessionaljudgmentwhenusingmoviesorotheraudiovisualworkas a part of instruction. Segments of a movie or clips may be appropriate; however, the loss ofinstructionaltimeforafullviewingisaquestionablepractice.

• Useofmoviesshouldbeapprovedinadvancebytheprincipal.• LessonplansshouldstatetheTEKSobjectivestobeachievedbythemoviesegmentorclip.• Instructionalactivitiesthatprecedeandfollowtheuseofamoviemustbecarefullyplanned

andarticulatedinthelessonplans.• Teachersmustbeawareofthemovieratingsystem.AllratingsotherthanGrequirewritten

parentalapproval.


AppendixC:

StudentRecords

A.StorageofStudentRecords

1. Permanentrecordcardsshouldbekeptinacentrallocationintheschooloffice.2. Thefollowingitemsshouldbeattachedtothepermanentrecordcard:

• Copyofthestudent’sbirthcertificate• Copyofthestudent’ssocialsecuritycard• Proofofaddress• HomeLanguageSurvey• LPACfolder,ifapplicable• Guardianshippapers• Specialapplicationsforenrollment

2. IfastudenthasanLPACfolder,theHomeLanguageSurveyshouldbeplacedintheLPACfolder.

B.PermanentRecordCardsIfanerrorismadeonthepermanentrecord,DONOTUSEWHITEOUT.Instead,markthroughtheerrorwithasinglediagonalline,initialit,andmakethecorrection.C. CumulativeFolders

1. Cumulativefoldersmaybekeptintheteacher’sclassroom.2. ThecumulativefoldershouldincludethefollowingitemswhichshouldNEVERbepurged:

• Permanentrecordsfromotherdistricts,ifapplicable• Standardizedtestresults,includingTAKS/STAARconfidentialstudentreports• Specialinstructionsthatarecurrentlyapplicablefromparentsanddoctors• STARS(At-Risk)Programdocumentation• 504paperwork• RtIFolder• GTscreeningrecord• Otherrelevantspecialprogramrecords• Significantportfolioassessmentmaterials• Anymaterialsnecessarytodevelopthepromotionalhistoryofthestudent• Withdrawalforms


AppendixD:

SpecialEducationGradingInformation

SPECIALEDUCATIONTEACHERRESPONSIBILITIES 1. Thespecialeducationteachershallutilizealessonplanthatreflectstheshort-termobjectives

of each student’s IEP. Grades should evolve from these objectives, with supportingdocumentationofhow thegradewasdetermined. Numerical gradeswillbe recorded foreachsubjectareainadistrict-approvedgradebook.

2. When modifications/accommodations have been recommended by the ARD committee, thespecialeducationteacherisresponsiblefor:

• implementingmodifications/accommodationsdeterminedbytheARDcommittee.• informingthegeneraleducationteacheroftherequiredmodifications.• providing information concerning the student’s achievement levels, learning style, and

behavioralneeds.• offeringassistanceto thegeneraleducationteacheronascheduledbasis,asdetermined

bytheARDcommittee.• documentingcontactswiththegeneraleducationteacher.• completingprogressreportsat each9weekgradingperiodwith input from thegeneral

educationteacher.REGULAREDUCATIONTEACHERRESPONSIBILITIES 1. ThegradingofastudentwithdisabilitiesinageneraleducationclassroomisbasedontheARD

committee recommendation for modifications/accommodations of the Texas EssentialKnowledge and Skills (TEKS) and/or othermodifications/accommodations of pacing,methods,andmaterials.

2. Theregulareducationteacherisresponsiblefor:• implementingmodifications/accommodationsdeterminedbytheARDcommittee• documentingtheimplementationofthemodifications/accommodations• complyingwithallaspectsofthestudent’sIEP(suchassendingthestudenttoContent

Masteryand/orResourcefortherequiredtime)GRADINGPROCEDURESFORSPECIALEDUCATIONINSTRUCTIONALSETTINGS1. Monitor,Mainstream

• Allgradeswillbegivenbythegeneraleducationclassroomteacherincoordinationwiththespecialeducationteacher.

• Sincethesestudentsreceivelittleornodirectspecialeducationinstruction,gradesshouldbea reflection of the student’s abilities on grade level materials with the requiredaccommodationsand/ormodificationsasspecifiedbytheARDcommittee.

• Gradingofthesestudentsshouldfollowthesameguidelinesandpoliciesasusedwithgeneraleducationstudents,unlessotherwisenotedbytheARDcommittee.

• Gradeswillbereportedtoparentsusingtheappropriategeneraleducationreportcard.

2. ContentMasteryOnly• Thegeneraleducationteacherwillberesponsibleforassigningallgradesincoordinationwith

thecontentmasteryteacher.• Gradingofthesestudentsshouldfollowthesameguidelinesandpoliciesasusedwithgeneral

educationstudents,unlessotherwisenotedbytheARDcommittee.


• Grades will be reported to parents using the appropriate general education report card.These gradeswill reflect theaccommodations and/ormodificationsmade to grade levelmaterialsasdeterminedbytheARDcommittee.

• Teachersshouldfeelfreetomakenoteinthecommentsectionofthereportcardthatgradesinspecificsubjectsreflecttheaccommodationsand/ormodificationslistedinthestudent’sIEP.

3. Resource/Inclusion • Thespecialeducationteacherand/orthegeneraleducationteacherwillassigngradesforany

subjectsforwhichthereareacademicIEPgoalsandobjectives.• Gradingofthesestudentsshouldfollowthesameguidelinesandpoliciesasusedwithgeneral

educationstudents,unlessotherwisenotedbytheARDcommittee.• Gradeswillbe reported toparentsusing theappropriategeneral educationreport card. In

addition to the general education report card, the parentmust be informed of their child’sprogresstowardmasteryoftheIEP.

• A note may also be made in the comments section of the report card indicating that thegrade(s) were given by the special education teacher and that it indicates the student’snumericalprogresstowardIEPgoals.

4. PositiveBehaviorSupportClass(PBS)/TherapeuticLearningClass(TLC) • Allgradesaretobeenteredonthegeneraleducationreportcardandincludetheappropriate

IEP ProgressReports. PE andmusic grades are to be determined jointly by the respectiveteachersandtheBehaviorSupportteacher.

5. ProgramforPreschoolChildrenwithDevelopmentaldelays(PPCD) • Students inPPCDwhoareyoungerthan4yearsoldbySeptember1willreceiveaProgress

Reportonly.• Students in a PPCD classroomwho are at least 4 years old by September 1 should receive

Progress Reports in addition to any pre-assessment, (i.e., Brigance results, CIRCLEassessment,etc).

• 4-year-old PPCD students who attend Pre-Kindergarten inclusion should receive the samereport card as general education Pre-kindergarten with an IEP Progress Report includedreflectingprogresstowardmasteryofIEPgoalsandobjectives.

6. CASTLE/FunctionalSkills/Skills • Students inself-containedclassesshouldreceive the samereport cardasgeneral education

students. Thegeneraleducationreportcardusedshouldcorrespondtotheage-appropriategradelevelofthestudentservedintheself-containedsetting.

• For students served in a Skills Program setting, grades for specific subjects should beassignedasdeterminedbytheARDcommittee.

• ForstudentsinaCASTLE/FunctionalSkillssetting,thisreportcardwillbeusedtoaddressareassuchasattendanceandbehaviorandanyothersasdeterminedbytheARDcommittee.An IEP Progress Report must be included in the report card and must give specificinformationonthestudent’sprogresstowardmasteryofindividualIEPgoalsandobjectives.

elementary grading handbook 20192020...elementary grading handbook * 2019-2020 3 5. grades shall be...

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