- Mel Levine

For students, grades can be a source of excitement and pride and, at times, they can also be a source of trepidation. As a mastery-based program, Laurel Springs does away with the trepidation, and imbues students with a sense of confidence and accomplishment.

Grades can be an important way for the entire learning team to gauge student progress, and to identify and mend any problems before they become serious.

The Idea behind Grading

Purpose
The primary purpose of grading is feedback. The student, the parent, the teacher, and the broader educational community of which they are a part all need to be elements of the feedback loop. Also of great importance is the use of grades for guidance (For example - What course of study should the student follow? Would honors courses be appropriate next term? Is the student ready to proceed to Spanish II or to Algebra?). Finally, grades can be a source of motivation.

Student Effort and Grading
We believe that effort is evident at a distance. It may be reflected by detailed answers, engagement with teachers, questions, timeliness of assignment completion, and thoughtfulness of responses. Behavior, in an online environment, may include respect for the teacher and a cooperative attitude toward work and learning. Instances of plagiarism can be a negative factor in this category.  Attendance may translate to regularity of work, the avoidance of bulk mailing of assignments, or the commitment of adequate seat time to properly complete assignments. So, even at a distance, these factors have weight, and teachers may take them into consideration when assigning a grade.

Grades
The following are general guidelines for letter grades. Your teacher, and our courses, will provide you with specific rubrics for lesson assignments. It’s important for you and your child to discuss grading guidelines and expectations with your teacher early on, so performance objectives are always clear.

C= Passing credit
Student demonstrates basic achievement of the essential understandings and essential skills of the course. Student demonstrated growth and learning through engagement of this course, earning credit toward graduation.

B=pass with distinction/ college recommending
Student demonstrates mastery of essential understandings and achievement of essential skills of the course.

A= pass with honors
Student demonstrates mastery of essential understandings and excellence in the essential skills of the course.

Below C = no credit, redo lesson or assignment
Student failed to achieve essential understandings and skills of the course and/or failed to exhibit other growth and progress through the engagement of this course.

Making the Most of the Gradebook

The Laurel Springs online Gradebook is an invaluable tool that connects families and teachers working from a distance.  It enables any member of the student’s learning team to view student progress twenty-four hours a day, from any location, and further connects and informs all of us.  The Gradebook promotes regular communication between the student’s teachers and home, reporting daily and weekly feedback. As your child completes and submits work, you will find teacher response to the work, including grades, comments, and instructions. Additionally, our students can stay apprised of progress by viewing an up-to-date report card in the Gradebook’s View All Grades mode.

We strongly encourage you to take advantage of the online gradebook. It is a wonderful resource! You, as a parent, will be given a separate log-in that allows you to see the same grades and comments your child does. With everyone keeping up-to-date on student progress and monitoring the work being submitted, it further allows for in-depth collaboration in working toward your child’s best interest.

For more Gradebook information and orientation visit here.