Briarcliff  Elementary School 22-23 

School Grading Plan

In the Wake County Public School System, we are 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.

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

The information below shares specific information about grading at our school. 

• Grades are communicated through interim reports, report cards, parent conferences, and Tuesday folders.

• Grades can be observational, classwork assignments, in class projects, Letterland assessments, EL assessments, and common assessments for math, social studies, and science.  

• mClass Assessments, Dreambox, screening assessments, NC Check-ins and State Tests will not be used for grading purposes. However, students are required to take these assessments as they are used to guide instruction.

• Attendance is not used as a grade but is part of work habits. Completion of assignments is also considered work habits.

• Questions and concerns regarding your student's grades should be directed to your student’s teacher. 

At Briarcliff, we focus on allowing students time with their families while focusing on daily reading.

Rationale:

At Briarcliff Elementary, we define the term “homework” as an opportunity to improve reading and math skills. This is done through nightly reading and optional Dreambox opportunities. 

Nightly Reading Frequency:

• K- 5 students will read nightly for 20-30 minutes.

• Reading can be assigned from Monday through Thursday night.  

The school’s Homework Plan can be found on our website at Briarcliffes.wcpss.net

The following are school-wide expectations for classwork and assessments:

• As part of the Wake County Public School System, Briarcliff Elementary grades classwork and assessments using Standards Based Grading.  

• All assignments that are graded are expected to be completed by students.  Final grades for each standard are based on observational, classwork assignments, in class projects, Letterland assessments, EL assessments, and common assessments for math, science, and social studies that teachers provide.

• 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.

• Students entering into a mandated quarantine period will be provided opportunities to access classroom materials via Google Classroom. 

• Staff are not required to provide assignments or classwork for unexcused absences, extended unexcused absences, or educational leave.

Expectation for In-Person Students

If the absence is approved in advance and/or if the teacher assigns the work in advance, all make-up work, including tests assigned for the day of return, is due upon the student's return to school. Teachers should use discretion and may make exceptions in the case of students whose excused absences were not planned in advance, were beyond the student's control, and the nature of which would not support make-up work the day of return.

If the make-up work has not been assigned in advance, for absences of one (1) to three (3) days, the student will have one day for each day absent. For absences exceeding three (3) days, the student may have two (2) days for each day absent to make up work.  Special consideration will be given for extended absences due to injury or chronic illness.

If a student is required to quarantine, the teacher will follow up with the student and family within the first three days to establish a learning and communication plan.