• The Board of Education is committed to maintaining rigorous performance and achievement standards for all students and to providing a fair and consistent process for evaluating and reporting student progress that is understandable to students and their parents and relevant for instructional purposes.

    A. Grading System

    1. The purpose of a grading system is to appropriately and consistently measure and communicate an individual student's level of mastery of defined learning objectives.

    2. All WCPSS grading and reporting practices will support the learning and teaching process and encourage success for all students.

    3. Grading practices are not to be punitive in nature. Any loss of credit or other academic or disciplinary penalty for plagiarism, cheating, or other forms of dishonesty must be consistent with the Board’s Honor Code policy.

    4. For students at risk of academic failure, schools will develop and implement a plan for grade recovery.

    B. Assessments

    1. All local assessments and assignments will be aligned with state/district adopted standards and /or curriculum and be designed to appropriately assess student achievement.

    2. Appropriate and consistent evaluation of academic achievement shall employ formative and summative assessments to determine a student's level of mastery of curriculum objectives.

    C. School-Based Grading Plan

    1. The principal of each school will ensure the development of a school-based grading plan and will place the plan on file in the school and will submit it to the designated area superintendent for approval.

    2. Upon approval of a school-based grading plan, the principal shall be responsible for communicating the plan to staff, students, and parents.

    D. Communication

    1. Teachers will provide students and their parents/guardians with clear explanations of their grading practices.

    2. Teachers will provide each student with regular feedback to promote learning, self- evaluation, and growth.

    3. Communication between teachers, parents, and students will be timely, including ongoing system-wide mechanisms for communication of student progress and grades.

    E. Grading Period/Interims/Report Cards

    In grades K-12, report cards are issued to students each quarter. Interim reports are issued to all students at the mid-point of each quarter.

    Legal References: G.S. 115C-47, -81