Dallas ISD Board Amends Grading Policy

30 Apr 2009

Changes are in response to feedback from teachers and campus administrators

DALLAS–The Dallas Independent School District Board of Trustees amended Board Policy EIA (LOCAL) at its April meeting to include recommendations for changes in response to the grading policy survey and feedback from teachers and campus administrators.

The recommended changes now included in Policy EIA (LOCAL) Academic Achievement are:

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• Re-testing, Pre-Kindergarten – 12: To ensure that test grades reflect content mastery, a student shall be permitted to retake any major test that he or she has failed within five school days of when the failing grade was received or no later than ten days of the date of the test. If the test is passed on the second attempt, the failing grade shall be removed from the grade book, and the passing grade recorded with the following exception. When student behavior or actions clearly demonstrates that a major test was failed due to lack of effort or inappropriate behavior, teachers, with principal approval, may assess a grade penalty. The grade penalty shall be either the average of the two tests or a 70 (if either the average or the second attempt is above 70.)
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• Make-Up Work Related to an Absence, Defined Pre-Kindergarten – 12: For make-up work related to an absence, students will be given two days for every day missed. Teachers may determine if additional time should be allotted in consideration of the age of the student and/or difficulty of the missed assignments.
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• Late Work Not Related to an Absence, Defined Pre-Kindergarten – 12: For late work not related to an absence, teachers will identify the time allocation and grade penalties for submission of late work as part of their grade level/department grading procedures. The Superintendent of Schools or designee shall develop guidelines regulating homework, makeup work, and grading procedures. [See EIA (REGULATION)].
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To meet the district's mission of college and workforce readiness, grading practices must be in accord with the district's philosophy that expects and supports all students learning at high, rigorous levels. Therefore, grading practices must focus on student growth and mastery of the learning standards identified in the Dallas ISD curriculum, which include but are not limited to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills.

For the complete EIA (LOCAL) Academic Achievement board policy, visit the Web site http://www.tasb.org/policy/pol/private/057905/pol.cfm?DisplayPage=EIA(LOCAL).pdf.

The second core belief adopted by the Board of Trustees is we believe that educators have the most powerful impact on student achievement.

For a complete list of core beliefs, visit the Web site at http://www.dallasisd.org/about/vision.htm.