New DCPS grading policy?

[Anonymous]

My 8th grader came home with a new grading policy that apparently applies in every class in her DCPS middle school. Kid says that late work gets an automatic 30 percent grade penalty, and retakes, even for work turned in on time, can score no higher than a "C". Did anyone else hear something similar from their kid's school? Is the new policy posted anywhere online?

[Anonymous]

It’s 10% for late work. Retakes can warm up to a 76.

[Anonymous]

https://dcps.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/dcps/publication/attachments/Secondary%20Grading%20and%20Reporting%20Policy%20-%20English.pdf

[Anonymous]

Thank goodness. DCPS ihas been a complete joke.

[Anonymous]

I hope the teachers are still flexible if there is confusion with deadlines, which I feel like there frequently is

[Anonymous]

My 8th grader reported that "late work gets a letter grade reduction -- like A- to B-."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hope the teachers are still flexible if there is confusion with deadlines, which I feel like there frequently is

Yep.

[Anonymous]

I think the new policy is totally reasonable. The endless retakes and grade grubbing is NOT helpful to these kids, who need to learn how to study/do their best work the first time. College professors are not going to put up with this nonsense.

[Anonymous]

"To incentivize on-time submission of assignments and proper attendance, the grade for late assignments submitted following an unexcused absence will be reduced by one (1) letter grade (e.g., “A-” will change to a “B-”)."

So this only pertains to when kids are unexcused? "Normal" late work won't be impacted by this rule?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"To incentivize on-time submission of assignments and proper attendance, the grade for late assignments submitted following an unexcused absence will be reduced by one (1) letter grade (e.g., “A-” will change to a “B-”)."

So this only pertains to when kids are unexcused? "Normal" late work won't be impacted by this rule?

Yes. Work that’s late because you were sick, or out for a religious holiday, is not marked down. Ordinary late work is not marked down. Only work that’s late because of an unexcused absence is marked down.

The big change for ordinary late work is that it’s now due 8 times a year instead of 4 times, which is moving in the right direction but still not great.

[Anonymous]

If you have an excused absence, you get an extra day with no penalty. If you have two days of excused absence, you get two extra days, etc.

But what I don't know is how this works with a block schedule. Is "extra day" until the next class meeting? Or the literal next school day?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you have an excused absence, you get an extra day with no penalty. If you have two days of excused absence, you get two extra days, etc.

But what I don't know is how this works with a block schedule. Is "extra day" until the next class meeting? Or the literal next school day?

I asked that question of DCPS staff last night. Yes, the "extra day" is until the next class meeting.

[Anonymous]

what about the retakes? you used to be pretty much able to retake a not so good exam/homework again. has that changed?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:what about the retakes? you used to be pretty much able to retake a not so good exam/homework again. has that changed?

Retakes are allowable if the student demonstrated effort but the maximum grade you can get is a C.

There was a lot of pushback on this one at the SHAPPE meeting last night, arguing that the C doesn't reflect the student's actual knowledge--like if they master the concept in the two weeks between the initial assignment and the retake.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:what about the retakes? you used to be pretty much able to retake a not so good exam/homework again. has that changed?

Retakes are allowable if the student demonstrated effort but the maximum grade you can get is a C.

There was a lot of pushback on this one at the SHAPPE meeting last night, arguing that the C doesn't reflect the student's actual knowledge--like if they master the concept in the two weeks between the initial assignment and the retake.

But what about the person who got a C to start? They are not allowed a retake to get an A.