Grading Policy

GRADING

Our District has adopted a Standards Based Report Card (SBRC) for kindergarten and first grade. Instead of “grades” based on percentages/points, student progress will be assessed periodically and reported in the SBRC with the following scale:

1 – Knowledge is so incomplete that it leads to frustration, even after repeated instruction.
 
2 – Beginners who need assistance to perform/practice a skill and would not be able to do it without help.
 
3 – Consistently able to perform the skill without assistance in order to achieve a goal.
 
4 – Consistently uses higher level thinking skills, such as analysis, synthesis and integration in order to apply the skill to unfamiliar situations.

The purpose of a SBRC is to communicate to parents more specifically how their child is doing with regards to Virginia’s Standards of Learning, recognizing that traditional grading scales are not necessarily developmentally appropriate for our youngest learners. This report card is not like an upper elementary, middle, or high school report card. It is a communication tool, not something that goes towards a “grade point average.”

*  Please note that a 4 is not an “A”, a 3 is not a “B”, etc. 

*  A 3 is “meets the standard” and means that your child knows what the state standard requires in that area for an end of year first grader. 

*  If part of the information is still being taught or if your child has not mastered it consistently, your child will receive a 2 which means essentially “working towards the standard.” 

*  Also, 4’s are not possible in some areas. If the standard is “writes numbers to 100” then your child either meets that standard (3) or does not.


ASSESSMENTS

Much data is gathered through teacher pre-assessment, observation, formative assessment, quick checks, etc.

In addition, spelling pattern assessments and vocabulary/comprehension checks are given in first grade.

Spelling review tests will be given on occasion to be sure that students are retaining the spelling patterns that have been taught and are not memorizing spelling words solely for that week’s spelling assessment. 

Word sort assessments will also be given to be sure that your child can differentiate between letter sounds.
 
Vocabulary word addessments are given periodically to be sure that students are able to read/use the vocabulary words that have been taught to date.

Math assessments occur at the end of each unit, with quick checks given frequently in order to be sure that students are mastering the concepts along the way and building on what they’ve learned.

For math, there is also a county-wide numeracy assessment given periodically in grades k-2.

Science and social students are taught but not graded in first grade, with a focus on reading nonfiction for understanding.

PALS testing is also used in the fall, at midyear, and in the spring to track each child’s reading progress.  Families will be notified of their child’s results.  PALS testing is used as a tool to help teachers focus their instruction in the best way for each individual student.     

More information about PALS testing can be found here:

 PALS – Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening