Elementary Grading Practices Overview & Purpose Grades for students enrolled in Ralston are based on their achievement on the Nebraska State Standards at their grade level. The purpose for reporting grades is to communicate a student's progress in different knowledge and skills within the Nebraska State Standards. Grades are intended to be: accurate, consistent, meaningful, and supportive of learning. Learning Targets Standardized grading practices provide specific and clear learning targets for students, parents, teachers, and administrators of what a student must know and be able to master within a course or grade. Learning targets are identified and communicated to students during each class to help them understand the focus of their learning and to self­monitor their own learning. Learning targets are directly related to the Nebraska State Standards. Types of Tasks ● Practice​ items allow students the option to practice a skill or applying new knowledge. Practice assignments are typically not graded as they are providing students the opportunity to practice and get feedback on new learning. ● Formative ​assessments and assignments are done for learning. They are smaller assignments such as short essays or written responses to questions. Formative assignments are graded for accuracy and descriptive feedback is provided. The feedback provided is intended to help the child to improve their learning. ● Summative​ assessments and assignments are major end of learning unit tests or projects such as a research paper, a presentation, or a science fair project. Summative assignments assess a student’s progress on grade level standards. Student Accommodations & Modifications Accommodations are provided to students with special needs without adjusting or reducing grades. Accommodations for students with Individual Education Plans (IEPs) or 504 Plans may change requirements for quantity of work, time allotted, presentation format, type of evidence, etc. Modifications alter course content, assignments, and assessments may not be used. Achievement . Character . Technology A community dedicated to achieving excellence through purposeful instruction and nurturing a climate of hope Grading Scale for Kindergarten to 6th Grade At the end of the grading period, grades will be determined in the following manner based on a student’s progress over the last quarter: Student progress will be communicated using the proficiency scale below: Academic Levels of Performance for Kindergarten­6th Grade E = Exceeds: ​ In­depth understanding of standards above grade level. M = Meets: ​ Solid understanding of standards at grade level. P = Partial: ​ Limited understanding of grade level standards. NS = Needs Support: ​ Significant assistance required. NA = Not Assessed: ​Not assessed. For 3rd­6th grade, percentage equivalents are identified below. Percentage Equivalents for 3rd­6th Grade E = Exceeds: ​ 93­100% M = Meets: ​ 77­92% P = Partial: ​ 70­76% NS = Needs Support: ​0­69% NA = Not Assessed: ​Not assessed. Achievement . Character . Technology A community dedicated to achieving excellence through purposeful instruction and nurturing a climate of hope