FACTORS THAT AFFECT STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT

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PART THREE - FACTORS THAT AFFECT STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT

• 1. Course Disclosure
  The criteria and standards for grades must be made known to the students and parents at the beginning of each school year. The course disclosure may include criteria and standards regarding the following:
  • A. The major goals of the course,
    
  • B. The district grading scale,
    
  • C. The teacher's method(s) of grading,
    
  • D. The major requirements of the course,
    
  • E. The criteria and standards necessary for successful completion, and
    
  • F. Other standards as deemed appropriate in relationship to the course.
    
    
• 2. Reduction of Grades
  
  • Grades should not be reduced for punitive reasons.
    
  • Elementary teachers will have citizenship and participation marks.
    
    
• 3. Grade Changes
  
  • All grading must follow the Ypsilanti Board of Education grade policies and administrative guidelines.
  • The student and his/her parents are to be invited to the meeting of the Review Panel and are to be provided an opportunity to make a written and/or oral presentation to the Panel. The decision of the panel is final. Grade changes may also occur under the following circumstances:
    
    • A. Grades such as an Incomplete (I) may be changed to a Failure (F) grade due to previously established timelines in accordance with school and District grading guidelines.
      
    • B. A student who repeats a class in order to improve upon an original grade may do so providing it is the same class, credit, and course content. The grade earned by repeating a class shall replace the original grade.
      
    • C. With prior approval and for extreme or extenuating circumstances, the principal may authorize a grade change, e.g., a student receives a grade at the end of the school year and the teacher leaves the District for another job.
      
      
• 4. Notice of Failure
  
  • Whenever a student's performance places him or her in imminent danger of failing a class, losing credit in a class, or failing a major test or project, the teacher must notify the student's parent/guardian by sending a deficiency notice to them.
    
    • A. The teacher must make a phone call, a personal contact with parents, or send a letter to notify parents of problems or deficiencies.
      
    • B. If a failing grade (F) is given, and a teacher has not provided notice to the student or his/her parents/guardians, the student may be given an opportunityto remedy the deficiency and have the failing grade changed within a reasonable amount of time during the succeeding grading period (usually two weeks).
      
    • C. Parents may and should to the extent possible, access the electronic grade and attendance reports to keep track of their child's grades and attendance.
      
    • D. Students may and should access the electronic grade and attendance reports and keep track of their own grades and attendance and communicate that to parents.
      
      
• 5. Grading Guidelines
  
  • A. Incomplete (I)
    
    • Students who receive an Incomplete (I) have two weeks from when quarter grades are posted to complete the required work. Incompletes that are not made up in this time frame will be changed to an "F" grade at the end of the two-week period.
      
  • E. Failing Grade (F)
    
    • A Failing Grade (F) is meant to be a final grade and the grade is not intended to be changed; however, it may be changed by the following:
      
      • o Getting special permission from the teacher to re-do class work due to extenuating circumstances,
        
      • o Re-taking the same class next quarter (if it is offered), during the summer, or the following school year, or
        
      • o Taking a comparable class with prior-approval given by the original teacher and counselor.
        
      • o Once the approved make-up class or required work has been completed, the grade earned will replace the "F" on the transcript.
        
  Special Note: Athletic eligibility guidelines stipulate that once a student receives an "F" grade, that grade is in effect for a period of time constituting a reporting period, progress report, or two weeks if checked by the athletic director - whichever comes first. The grade is considered final when the teacher documents the grade. The only exception is if a teacher has made an honest mistake.
  
  
• 6. Academic Eligibility (See Policy and Administrative Guidelines 2431)
  Academic eligibility for school-sponsored activities and MHSAA activities are established by
  • (1) a student's previous quarter, semester or Progress Report grades,
  • (2) MHSAA guidelines, and/or
  • (3) school/District policies. It is a privilege and not a right for any student to participate and represent his/her school in any leadership position, school sponsored activity, or MHSAA activity. Academically, a student must meet the following requirements each quarter to be eligible to participate in activities or represent his/her school:
    
• A) A student must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 each quarter or reporting period including Progress Report.
  
• B) A student who has an I grade on his/her report card is not eligible to participate until that student has completed the required work to receive a passing grade and has also met the requirements stated in item A.
  
• C) A student who is ineligible in a reporting period is not allowed to participate for a period of time constituting a reporting period, progress report or two-week evaluation period, whichever comes first until the grade(s) are improved and noted as passing.
  
• D) A school and/or certain extra-curricular activities may have additional or higher academic requirements than stated in this Guideline.
  
• E) The eligibility for eighth grade students who want to participate in high school activities during the 1st quarter of their freshmen year shall be established by the grades they received the last semester or grade obtained in make-up classes during the summer just before the freshman year. To be eligible, these students must meet the requirements stated in A thru D.
  
  
• 7. Transfer Students
  
  • A. When secondary students transfer into the Ypsilanti Public School District an
    effort shall be made to coordinate classes from their previous school to their
    new classes. Credit and grades shall be based upon the following:
    
    • i. Only credit from accredited institutions shall be accepted from transfer students.
      
    • ii. Students transferring into a school at the beginning of a quarter (one to three weeks) shall receive their quarter grades and credits based primarily on YHS classes.
      
    • iii. Students transferring into a school in the middle of a quarter (four to seven weeks) shall have their quarter grades and credits averaged together between the two schools.
      iv. Students transferring into a school near the end of a quarter (eight to ten weeks) shall primarily receive their grades and credits from their previous school.
      
    • iv. Due to unusual circumstances and differing class schedules, school administration, counselors, and respective teachers have the flexibility and authority to award grades and credits to transfer students based upon satisfactory alternative requirements being met.
      
  • B. The eligibility for transfer students shall be established through the MHSAA guidelines.
    
    
• 8. Calculating Grade Point Averages (GPA)
  
  • For calculating the Grade Point Average for students at the middle or high school the grade scale will be used. In addition, each full year course will be given a unit measure of 1.0. In the semester course structure, each semester course will be given a unit measure of 0.5.

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