News on Grading

January 2014

Dear Parents and Students,

The primary purpose for grading in our district is to communicate academic progress to students, their families, employers, and post-secondary institutions.  A grade should reflect what a student knows and is able to do in a course.

Beginning second semester at Gaston School District, report card grades will reflect progress on standards in each content area.  All grading and reporting will be based on state adopted standards, thus demonstrating understanding of concepts taught.   Attendance, attitude, behavior in class, and completion of practice work will be communicated separately via comments on the 5-12 report cards and personal development sections on the K-4 report cards.  

There are many reasons for this change:

·         The state requires that a student’s academic abilities toward grade level standards be reported using standards-based proficiency.

·         The growing emphasis on standards and performance assessments makes current reporting practices inadequate.

·         Oregon’s new graduation requirements include passing state exams in reading, writing and math in order to receive a regular diploma.

·         Course requirements to receive high school credit and meet college entrance requirements have become much more rigorous.

 

Gaston School District will be making changes to the existing report cards over the next few years as we transition towards reporting students’ proficiencies.  You will be notified of changes as they occur.

 

Throughout the year, newsletters and information on the district website will communicate additional aspects of our new grading system and common core.  As things evolve, please continue to check our district website (www.gaston.k12.or.us) for the most up-to-date information.  Please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s school, principal, or teacher with questions or concerns.

Professionally,

 

Susan McKenzie, Principal GJSHS

Yvonne Rauch, Principal GES