How Grades Communicate Learning
Grading Communication
Parents and students can access information on student progress, grades, and feedback in our Student Information System (“SIS”). Parents and students can view SIS information on the FCPS website (ParentVUE or StudentVUE). Both parents and students are encouraged to contact a teacher if they have questions about what they see in SIS.
What do grades represent?
The grade earned indicates the level of knowledge in accordance with the course standards from the VDOE, FCPS Program of Studies, the College Board (AP courses), or a partner college (dual enrollment courses).
How do I interpret the gradebook?
In the gradebook, each standard for the course will be a category or column. The current grade for a student’s level of mastery of each standard will be based on summative assessments and recorded and updated throughout the year. In addition, there are practice or formative assignments indicated to provide feedback to parents and students on how students are performing to prepare for summative assessment of standards.
What is a rolling gradebook?
A rolling gradebook is a cumulative documentation of learning. Unlike traditional quarterly gradebooks, a rolling gradebook documents learning on an ongoing basis throughout the year; it is not an average of quarter marks. The grade posted at the end of each traditional quarter is a snapshot of a student’s current progress in the course. This grading and reporting practice allows for increased opportunities for students to show their highest level of learning on individual standards.
How will we know when assignments were or are due?
Assignment information can be found on Schoology. Teachers will also enter due dates for each entry in SIS. If you cannot find what you are looking for, please email the teacher.
What comments will teachers use in their gradebooks?
The following comments will be used in SIS to communicate to parents and students the status of assessments recorded in the gradebook.
- Mi = Assignment not turned in (missing)
- SB = Student scored below 50%
- La = Assignment turned in late
Is extra credit offered?
Per FCPS grading policy, students cannot be awarded extra points/credit in lieu of or to replace assignments or assessments.
How will grades be calculated?
Summative assessments will be used to determine the grade for each standard. Grades for each standard will be determined by the following criteria (in this order):
- Most recent performance on standard (including retake opportunities)
- A pattern of achievement (including repeated level of achievement and an upward trend)
More course-specific details may be explained in the course syllabus The student’s year-end grade will be an average of the scores for each standard in the course.
What are final exams like?
Teachers are encouraged to create a culminating activity to reflect on what students have learned throughout the year. There are three options from which teachers can choose for the final exam:
- A reflective, formative activity. This can be used for grade replacement.
- An assessment on specific standards where the student did not perform well. This assessment will be used to inform the grade for that standard.
- A traditional cumulative exam. This grade is not calculated as a separate grade in the gradebook; rather it is included among other summative assessments.
How do quality points work for honors and AP classes?
For students who pass an AP/HNs course, an additional 1.0/.5 quality point will be added to the quality point value assigned to the final mark for purposes of calculating GPA. For example, a final grade of A in the course shall receive 5.0 quality points. No additional weight will be assigned to an F.
AP students are strongly encouraged to take the AP exam(s). This standardized examination is designed to measure content and skill mastery, and a successful score may earn credit and advanced placement in college.
- FCPS will pay for six total AP exams during a student’s academic career in FCPS. After six exams, students will be assessed a fee of $93 for an AP exam. Information for students who choose not to participate in an AP exam for a course in which they are currently enrolled will be provided later in the school year.
- AP Economics, AP US & Comparative Government, and AP Physics C (one-credit course): The curriculum for these courses is assessed through two separate AP tests. Because students are enrolled in one course that covers material for two tests, the related tests are considered as one test for the FCPS-funded test counts and fees.
What if a student submits an assignment past the due date?
Students remain responsible for turning in work within deadlines in order to receive timely feedback. An assignment may close, but the standard will remain open in order to continue to demonstrate understanding.
If a student knows work will be turned in late due to special circumstances, the student should communicate with teachers in advance to create an action plan.
Will students be able to retake or revise assessments?
Retakes can be offered in the form of formative opportunities and as reassessments on specific standards where the student did not perform well. Prior to taking a reassessment or receiving a grade replacement, it is expected that students demonstrate growth on the corresponding standard(s).
What will I see in the gradebook? How can I see feedback in the gradebook?
There are two types of grades (scores) entered in SIS. One is in the form of feedback given on formative assessments and practice and will be marked “not for grading.” A score may be associated with practice to indicate how students are doing in preparation for an assessment. The second form is through summative assessments. These scores will be broken up by standard as well and will directly contribute to the student’s grade on specific standards. Many teachers will provide information through the comments in the gradebook or through Schoology. If you have questions, you should reach out to your child’s teacher.
The information below is the same as found in the drop down questions above, in a pre-expanded format.
What do grades represent?
The grade earned indicates the level of knowledge in accordance with the course standards from the VDOE, FCPS Program of Studies, the College Board (AP courses), or a partner college (dual enrollment courses).
How do I interpret the gradebook?
In the gradebook, each standard for the course will be a category or column. The current grade for a student’s level of mastery of each standard will be based on summative assessments and recorded and updated throughout the year. In addition, there are practice or formative assignments indicated to provide feedback to parents and students on how students are performing to prepare for summative assessment of standards.
What is a rolling gradebook?
A rolling gradebook is a cumulative documentation of learning. Unlike traditional quarterly gradebooks, a rolling gradebook documents learning on an ongoing basis throughout the year; it is not an average of quarter marks. The grade posted at the end of each traditional quarter is a snapshot of a student’s current progress in the course. This grading and reporting practice allows for increased opportunities for students to show their highest level of learning on individual standards.
How will we know when assignments were or are due?
Assignment information can be found on Schoology. Teachers will also enter due dates for each entry in SIS. If you cannot find what you are looking for, please email the teacher.
What comments will teachers use in their gradebooks?
The following comments will be used in SIS to communicate to parents and students the status of assessments recorded in the gradebook.
- Mi = Assignment not turned in (missing)
- SB = Student scored below 50%
- La = Assignment turned in late
Is extra credit offered?
Per FCPS grading policy, students cannot be awarded extra points/credit in lieu of or to replace assignments or assessments.
How will grades be calculated?
Summative assessments will be used to determine the grade for each standard. Grades for each standard will be determined by the following criteria (in this order):
- Most recent performance on standard (including retake opportunities)
- A pattern of achievement (including repeated level of achievement and an upward trend)
More course-specific details may be explained in the course syllabus The student’s year-end grade will be an average of the scores for each standard in the course.
What are final exams like?
Teachers are encouraged to create a culminating activity to reflect on what students have learned throughout the year. There are three options from which teachers can choose for the final exam:
- A reflective, formative activity. This can be used for grade replacement.
- An assessment on specific standards where the student did not perform well. This assessment will be used to inform the grade for that standard.
- A traditional cumulative exam. This grade is not calculated as a separate grade in the gradebook; rather it is included among other summative assessments.
How do quality points work for honors and AP classes?
For students who pass an AP/HNs course, an additional 1.0/.5 quality point will be added to the quality point value assigned to the final mark for purposes of calculating GPA. For example, a final grade of A in the course shall receive 5.0 quality points. No additional weight will be assigned to an F.
AP students are strongly encouraged to take the AP exam(s). This standardized examination is designed to measure content and skill mastery, and a successful score may earn credit and advanced placement in college.
- FCPS will pay for six total AP exams during a student’s academic career in FCPS. After six exams, students will be assessed a fee of $93 for an AP exam. Information for students who choose not to participate in an AP exam for a course in which they are currently enrolled will be provided later in the school year.
- AP Economics, AP US & Comparative Government, and AP Physics C (one-credit course): The curriculum for these courses is assessed through two separate AP tests. Because students are enrolled in one course that covers material for two tests, the related tests are considered as one test for the FCPS-funded test counts and fees.
What if a student submits an assignment past the due date?
Students remain responsible for turning in work within deadlines in order to receive timely feedback. An assignment may close, but the standard will remain open in order to continue to demonstrate understanding.
If a student knows work will be turned in late due to special circumstances, the student should communicate with teachers in advance to create an action plan.
Will students be able to retake or revise assessments?
Retakes can be offered in the form of formative opportunities and as reassessments on specific standards where the student did not perform well. Prior to taking a reassessment or receiving a grade replacement, it is expected that students demonstrate growth on the corresponding standard(s).
What will I see in the gradebook? How can I see feedback in the gradebook?
There are two types of grades (scores) entered in SIS. One is in the form of feedback given on formative assessments and practice and will be marked “not for grading.” A score may be associated with practice to indicate how students are doing in preparation for an assessment. The second form is through summative assessments. These scores will be broken up by standard as well and will directly contribute to the student’s grade on specific standards. Many teachers will provide information through the comments in the gradebook or through Schoology. If you have questions, you should reach out to your child’s teacher.