Dobys Bridge Elementary

I. GRADING SYSTEM

A. Student Academic Achievement

Student academic achievement shall be based on the degree of mastery of the Districts
instructional objectives as outlined in the curriculum guides for each subject. The objectives
reflect the South Carolina Department of Education College and Career Readiness standards and
address the skills and concepts needed for successful performance in all grades.

Assignments, tests, projects, classroom activities, and other instructional activities shall be
designed so that the students performance indicates the level of mastery of the designated
standards. The students mastery level shall be a major factor in determining the grade for a
subject or course.

Dobys Bridge Elementary maintains a balanced curriculum. Curriculum offerings include

language arts (reading, literature, oral language, composition, handwriting, and spelling), science,
mathematics, social studies, art, music, physical education, and technology. Instructional plans
draw upon state curriculum frameworks and program standards.

Achievement grades should be fairly determined from a wide variety of information, which could
include student performance on daily assignments, tests, and/or special projects. The information
used in grading should be appropriate to the grade level and subject being considered. At the
beginning of each school year, students and parents should be informed of the class expectations,
and the teacher will explain how grades are determined.

II. GRADING GUIDELINES

A. Assessment and Evaluation

Student mastery of subject matter may be assessed in a variety of ways. It is not necessary,
therefore, for all grades to have as their source written paper work. Nor is it always necessary to
receive a grade for every paper produced. Although the teacher will monitor and provide feedback
to students for any activity, which they assign, the feedback does not always need to be in the
form of a grade. Assessment should always follow a period of guided practice and/or independent
practice.

Assessments serve to evaluate mastery of SCDE College and Career Readiness Standards. They
provide opportunities to demonstrate mastery of a certain knowledge or skill. Types of
assessments may include, but are not limited to the following:

Classwork
Quizzes
Projects
End of Unit Tests
District reading assessments
 B. Kindergarten/First Grade Report Card

Evaluation key for kindergarten and first grade report card:

Reading/writing/language skills, mathematics, social studies, science, handwriting, and general

behavior/work habits.
Grades are determined by a variety of formative assessments, summative assessments, and
observations.

3 = Mastery of standard
2 = Progressing toward mastery of standard
1 = Minimum mastery of standard
0 = Not assessed at this time

C. Report Card, Grades 2 - 5

In grades 2-5, students are assessed in reading, writing/ language arts, mathematics, science, and
social studies. Grades are based on a 100 point scale and are weighted as follows:

Classwork 0.25 %
Quizzes 0.5 %
End of Unit Assessments 1.0 %
Projects 2.0 %

Explanation of Grading Scale:

A = 90 100
B = 80 89
C = 70 79
D = 60 69
F = Below 60

* 55% is the lowest grade earned if an effort was made. 50% is the lowest grade entered in the
gradebook. Lower grades can be kept for record to discuss with parents, but they will not affect
final averages.

D. Related Arts (art, music, physical education, and technology)

Related arts teachers will issue grades to all students. These grades shall reflect state and/or
national standards. Grades are based on mastery of skills and class participation.

S = Satisfactory
N= Needs Improvement
 Demonstrating Mastery of Assessments

Any student has one opportunity to make corrections on any end of unit assessment within a
one week period.
Students will have the opportunity to utilize a mastery contract that communicates
requirements for reassessment. It is the student's responsibility to obtain a contract.
Contracts will require a minimum of two at home study sessions. This will be documented by a
checklist with a parent signature on the bottom.
* Half credit will awarded to the final grade, for students who have demonstrated mastery by
making corrections.
Students may either make the corrections in the presence of a teacher, or the teacher will
provide support on any skills needed.