Secondary Grading Guidelines

Updated July 2, 2024

Late Work Guidelines

Late work refers to any assignment that is not submitted during the student's scheduled class period, at the specific time designated by the teacher, on the day when the assignment is due, provided the student is present in class. This policy establishes a clear definition of late submissions and helps maintain consistency in handling assignments within Splendora Independent School District (ISD).

Late work must be submitted within a three-week timeframe from the original assignment due date, falling within the nine-week grading period. Late submissions will receive a maximum grade of up to 85%

Make-up Work
For each day a student is absent, they will be provided with a minimum of one day to make up missed assignments. However, at the teacher's discretion, extended time may be granted within the grading period.

Reassessment Guidelines 

Whole Class Reassessment

• In cases where 50% or more of the class fails an assessment, a whole-class reteach and reassess approach will be implemented, as per the guidelines outlined in this document. The original grade obtained by the students will not be recorded.

Individual Student Reassessment

• Students are responsible for requesting a reassessment directly from their teacher.
• Reassessment must be scheduled within a three-week time frame from when the original grade was given, falling within the nine-week grading period. This policy allows students the opportunity to request a  reassessment and make improvements to their initial performance within a reasonable timeframe.
  • Within the three-week time frame, reassessment should be conducted within five days once requested by the student, falling within the nine-week grading period.
• The new assessment will encompass the same content as the original assessment but will vary in format, except for written responses. Written compositions are an exception to this format change.
• Students have the opportunity to request up to two major reassessments each 9-week grading period.
• Tutorial sessions will be provided as a resource for students, and it may be mandatory for students to attend a minimum of one tutorial session before requesting a reassessment.
• Reassessment opportunities may be denied if a student has any missing assignments that are deemed essential for their comprehension of the assessed content or skills.
• A maximum grade of up to 80% can be earned. 

Assessment Guidelines
All teaching staff are required to follow the guidelines outlined in the District Assessment Calendar. Modifications to the assessment procedures are only permitted if properly documented. Diagnostic assessments will not be counted for a grade. 

Skyward Grading Scale
Skyward is set up so that daily grades are weighted 40% and test grades are weighted 60%. Grades should be a reflection of the students’ learning journey.  

Major Grade Assignments
Major assignments refer to complex tasks or assessments that generally take one to five days to complete. Students must receive advance notice of any activity or test that constitutes a major grade. Additionally, students will be informed of content covered on all assessments. Each grading period will include a minimum of three major grades, providing a balanced assessment of student performance.  Teachers are responsible for returning and reviewing major assignments with students within a timely manner.  Major grade assignments may include: 

• SBAs 
• Projects
• Oral Reports/Presentations
• Final Essays/Compositions
• Research Papers
• End of Unit Assessments

Minor Grade Assignments
Minor assignments in Splendora Independent School District (ISD) include classwork, quizzes, and homework that typically require less than three days to complete. It is expected that teachers return and review these minor assignments with students in a timely manner, ensuring prompt feedback and an opportunity for students to learn from their work. Teachers are required to have a minimum of 10 minor assignments within each grading period, promoting regular assessment and engagement in the learning process.

Incomplete Grades
An incomplete (I) grade is assigned to students who have not completed the required work by the end of the nine weeks due to extended absences. The incomplete grade should be replaced with a final grade within a reasonable timeframe at the conclusion of the reporting period. Exceptions for extenuating circumstances may be granted by the campus administration. Students with an “incomplete” grade are ineligible for U.I.L. extracurricular activities until the “I” is replaced with a passing grade. This policy ensures that students are aware of the expectations and provides them with an opportunity to complete the necessary work and demonstrate their proficiency within a reasonable timeframe.

Cheating and Plagiarism
Cheating is defined as the act of giving or receiving information during a test or submitting duplicate work for assignments. The use of  technology, such as computers, internet, cell phone, PDAs, or calculators to cheat or copy the work of another is prohibited. Plagiarism involves using someone else’s ideas or writing as one’s own. Plagiarism is also when a student submits work that was not an original creation of the student. Students found to be cheating will be referred to their respective assistant principal for disciplinary action. This policy emphasizes the district's commitment to academic integrity and the consequences for violating these guidelines.

Advanced Academics
Pre-Advanced Placement, Honors, Advanced Placement, and Dual credit Courses are designed to challenge students beyond grade-level academic courses and prepare them for success in future advanced coursework.

Pre-AP Courses/Honors 

• Pre-AP/Honors students are held to the expectation of submitting all their work within the designated deadlines set by the teacher. However, the school acknowledges that extenuating circumstances may arise, and these situations will be handled on an individual basis. The school administration will carefully consider and address each case to ensure fairness and understanding while maintaining the overall expectation of timely completion for Pre-AP/Honor students. All assignments will be given at least a one-week submission window.
• Students enrolled in Pre-AP/Honors courses may have the opportunity to reassess one major grade each grading period.

Dual Credit
Grading guidelines for dual credit courses are set by Lone Star College-Kingwood.

AP Courses

• AP students are held to the expectation of submitting all their work within the designated deadlines set by the teacher. AP courses follow a rigorous and extensive College Board curriculum that is designed to prepare students to take an AP exam with the goal of achieving college credit. However, the school recognizes that extenuating circumstances may arise, and these situations will be evaluated on an individual basis. The school administration will carefully consider and address each case to ensure fairness and understanding while upholding the overall expectation of timely completion for AP students. All assignments will be given at least a one-week submission window.
• Students enrolled in AP courses do not have reassess opportunities.

Newcomers
Grading exemptions for newcomer Emergent Bilingual (EB) students are not appropriate. The focus should be on instructional and classroom assessment practices for newcomer EB students that facilitate access to the curriculum and opportunities for varied methods for demonstrating content knowledge for grading purposes. Beginning levels of English language proficiency should not be a basis for failure or retention.