The temporary grading policies for the remainder of the 2019-20 academic year were developed with careful consideration of the potential challenges faced by students and families during the period of school closure and remote learning.
Participation in learning is an essential part of a successful fourth quarter. Fourth quarter and final grades will be based on a holistic review of a student’s progress before and after we started remote learning. This holistic approach was used for third quarter grades and progress reports; students received scores of DEL (Demonstrates Evidence of Learning) or NEL (No evidence of Learning).
The grading approach will be slightly different depending on grade level, so please take a look at the information and frequently asked questions (FAQs) below for your specific grade level.
FAQs for Grades K-5
Where can I find my child’s third and fourth quarter report card?
Parents can view report cards on the eSchool Data Parent Portal. Please log in to ensure that your credentials are up-to-date and working properly. You can find directions on how to navigate eSchool Data Parent Portal here.
If you are having difficulty with the eSchool Data Parent Portal, please contact Tammy McGill at mcgillt@guilderlandschools.net.
How will fourth-quarter progress be determined and reported for students in grades K-5?
K-5 students are typically assessed through a standards-based approach report card using a 1-4 scale for all areas and indicators. Due to the challenges faced while learning remotely, fourth-quarter progress will be reported by teachers through written feedback and comments. Additionally, teachers will indicate if students demonstrated evidence of learning (DEL) or if there was no evidence of learning (NEL).
FAQs for Grades 6-8
Where can I find my child’s third and fourth quarter report card?
Parents can view report cards on the eSchool Data Parent Portal. Please log in to ensure that your credentials are up-to-date and working properly. You can find directions on how to navigate eSchool Data Parent Portal here.
If you are having difficulty with the eSchool Data Parent Portal, please contact Tammy McGill at mcgillt@guilderlandschools.net.
As a reminder, students are able to view attendance information by period, schedules, report card grades, progress reports and important dates and announcements in eSchool Data Student Portal.
How will grades be reported for the fourth quarter?
All FMS students will receive fourth-quarter grades of DEL (Demonstrates Evidence of Learning) or NEL (No evidence of Learning).
How will final course grades be determined?
Final course grades will also follow the DEL/NEL approach. Teachers will consider grades and progress shown throughout the entire school year.
Eighth-grade students participating in accelerated high school courses and/or World Languages and Cultures are the two exceptions to this approach.
How will final course grades be determined if my eighth-grade child is taking accelerated high school courses (Living Environment, Algebra I, and/or Studio Art)?
Final course grades for these courses will reflect both a Final Projected Average (traditional/numeric grade based on first- and second-quarter grades determined before the closure of schools) and a holistic DEL or NEL determination based on students’ performance throughout the entire school year. For example, parents and students may see DEL-92 or DEL-83 or DEL-72.
The purpose of providing both scores is to afford parents and students a choice in how grades will be reflected on students’ transcripts and whether final projected averages will factor into High School Grade Point Averages (GPA).
The grading policy for the current year will allow students in grades 9-12, 8th graders in accelerated courses, and non-graduating seniors to choose which option is in their best interest under remote instruction since schools were closed on March 13 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Can parents of students in grades 9-12 and 8th grade in accelerated courses choose between the projected numeric average from quarters 1 and 2 or the holistic (DEL/NEL) for a final course grade?
Students and parents will have the option of receiving a final course grade of DEL/NEL or a traditional/numeric grade. Providing both a holistic (DEL/NEL) and a numeric average provides parents and students with a view of both options. Please note that the final grade will appear on students’ transcripts as DEL or NEL and will not factor into GPA calculations.
Parents wishing to override a DEL and have the final projected average reported on student transcripts and factored into GPAs, will be able to do so via the eSchoolData Parent Portal. This option will only apply to students if they have received DEL for quarters 3 and 4. If a decision is made to use numeric grades, it will apply to all courses.
Requests for numeric grades were due by June 24, 2020 via the eSchoolData Parent Portal.
If a student or family experienced extenuating circumstances that led to a NEL in either quarter 3 or 4, parents should contact their school counselor to discuss and be considered for the numeric average. Directions will be sent to parents at the end of the school year once final course averages have been issued.
How will eighth-grade students participating in World Languages and Cultures (Spanish, French, German, or Italian) receive high school credit (Checkpoint A)?
Awarding of Checkpoint A (high school) course credit for 8th-grade students taking a World Language and Cultures course will be based on the final average from 7th-grade and 8th-grade evidence of learning. Students who have not achieved adequate progress for Checkpoint A will have a chance to make up work over the summer and submit it for final review to gain the credit one last time before transitioning to ninth grade.
FAQs for Grades 9-12
Where can I find my child’s third and fourth quarter report card?
Parents can view report cards on the eSchool Data Parent Portal. Please log in to ensure that your credentials are up-to-date and working properly. You can find directions on how to navigate eSchool Data Parent Portal here.
If you are having difficulty with the eSchool Data Parent Portal, please contact Tammy McGill at mcgillt@guilderlandschools.net.
As a reminder, students are able to view attendance information by period, schedules, report card grades, progress reports and important dates and announcements in eSchool Data Student Portal.
How will grades be reported for the fourth quarter?
Fourth-quarter grades will be reported as DEL or NEL for all full-year and second-semester courses.
How will final grades be reported for first-semester courses?
First semester courses were completed prior to closure of schools due to COVID-19. As such, final course grades will be reported using traditional/numeric grades and will factor into students’ Grade Point Averages (GPA).
How will final grades be reported for second-semester courses?
For all second-semester courses, final grades will be reported as DEL or NEL since no numeric grades were reported for the third or fourth quarters while school was closed.
How will final grades be reported for students participating in second-semester college courses?
Second-semester college courses will reflect both a Final Projected Average (traditional/numeric grade) based on third and fourth quarter grades and a holistic DEL or NEL determination based on students’ overall performance. For example, parents and students may see DEL-92 or DEL-83 or DEL-72. This will only be done for college courses in which a numeric average was required to be maintained by the institution.
How will final grades be reported for students participating in full-year college courses?
Final course grades for full-year college courses will reflect both a final projected average (traditional/numeric grade) based on all four quarters and a holistic DEL or NEL determination based on students’ performance throughout the entire school year. For example, parents and students may see DEL-92 or DEL-83 or DEL-72. This will only be done for college courses in which a numerical average was required to be maintained by the institution.
How will final grades be reported for full-year courses?
Final course grades for full-year high school courses will reflect both a final projected average (traditional/numeric) grade based on first- and second-quarter grades determined before the closure of schools) and a holistic DEL or NEL determination based on students’ performance throughout the entire school year.
Why do final course averages include both a holistic grade (DEL or NEL) and the final projected average based on quarters 1 and 2?
The purpose of providing both scores is to afford parents and students a choice in how grades will be reflected on student transcripts and whether final projected averages will factor into High School Grade Point Averages (GPA).
This grading policy for 2019-20 will allow students in grades 9-12 to choose which option is in their best interest and recognizes the many challenges faced by students and families since schools were closed on March 13 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Providing both a holistic (DEL/NEL) and a numeric average provides parents and students with a view of both options.
Can parents of students in grades 9-12 and 8th grade in accelerated courses choose between the projected numeric average from quarters 1 and 2 or the holistic (DEL/NEL) for a final course grade?
Students and parents will have the option of receiving a final course grade of DEL/NEL or a traditional/numeric grade from quarters 1 and 2. Parents may opt to have the final projected average reported on student transcripts and factored into GPAs. This option will only apply to students if they have received DEL for quarters 3 and 4.
If a decision is made to use numeric grades, it will apply to all courses. Parents will be able to make this choice via the eSchoolData Parent Portal.
Requests for numeric grades were due by June 24, 2020 via the eSchoolData Parent Portal.
If there are extenuating circumstances that resulted in a NEL, an appeal can be made to the student’s counselor and administrator.
What if I do nothing and do not change the final course grade?
If a parent does not wish to change their child’s grade to a numeric grade or simply does nothing, then the final grade reported will be a DEL or NEL. The grade will appear on transcripts as DEL or NEL and will not factor into their child’s GPA.