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A student can fail a test, a quarter, or
the semester. Ordinarily, when a student fails a quarter on a test, the
student still passes the semester (earning credit for the course) if the
overall average is passing. When a student fails for the semester, they
earn no credit for the entire semester. Because of the severity of
this, it is expected that parents receive clear and timely notice so
that we can enlist their support. The use of the term “incomplete”, or
a grade of “I” or “I/F” do not constitute a clear warning because
these terms are not commonly understood that way. The following table
lists the various situations and indicates the expectations for
notifying parents, and how the computer is notified of the failure for
the semester.
Method of Failure
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Details
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Parent Notification
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Recording the Grade
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“Normal Route” |
A student can do poor work all semester and
earn a grade that averages to an “F”, or fails both quarters, or one
quarter and the exam. |
Since the work has been poor over time,
progress reports indicating the poor quality of work should have
been sent.
In assigning major papers, failure to meet
preliminary deadlines, such as topic approval, note card check, or
rough draft check, ought to be indicated on progress reports since
these are warning signs that the final paper may be flawed, late, or
missing. |
Recording F’s for two quarters, or a quarter
and the exam automatically creates a semester grade of “F.” |
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“Truancy” |
A student can have multiple unapproved absences
from a class. Four unapproved absences in a quarter mean an “F” for
that quarter. If the pattern persists, and disciplinary action
including suspensions do not curb the behavior, the student may be
involuntarily removed, losing credit. |
At intervals, as unapproved absences accrue,
parents are notified by the administration via the phone dialer and
letters. |
At time of withdrawal, the student loses
credit. The final grade is handled in accordance with the
withdrawal policy. |
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“Disruptive Behavior” |
A student may be so
disruptive that a progression of disciplinary steps starting with
teacher detentions and home contact and leading up to suspensions
have not curbed the behavior. In these cases, the student may be
involuntarily removed, losing credit. |
Teacher contact with
parents and ultimately in-school detention and suspension letters
from the Assistant Principal will provide the necessary notice. |
At time of withdrawal, the
student loses credit. The final grade is handled in accordance with
the withdrawal policy. |
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“Failure to take final
exam.” |
A student who fails to
take the final exam normally fails the entire course. This applies
to unapproved absences from the exam, as well as those with approved
absences who do not make up the final in a timely manner. The
Assistant Principal has the prerogative to allow a student to take
the final, and may authorize a grade penalty. |
This situation cannot be
anticipated.
The rules in the
Student/Parent Handbook are clear. |
The teacher records an
exam grade of “FE”.
In the case of an approved
absence, the teacher does a grade change form to report the change
in grades. |
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“Failure to show mastery
on significant course outcomes”
Note: These
procedures are used when student’s performance on a single task or
series of tasks is so egregious that the student should lose all
credit for the entire semester without regard to any other grades in
the course. These procedures are not necessary if the teacher
wishes to record an “F” or a “Zero” for the assignment, and let the
assignment average with other graded assignments to determine the
course grade.
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In some courses, one or more assignments or
projects are so significant that failure to complete them may be
grounds for failure for the entire semester, regardless of
the average a student earns. In these cases, a student who refuses
to do the major class assignment or series of assignments would
therefore fail to demonstrate mastery of one or more significant
course outcomes. Such outcomes should be clearly identified as such
at the start of the course, preferably in handouts to the student
and parents at the Open House. Such outcomes should also be
identified among the dept. outcomes. When several teachers are
involved this should reflect a joint judgment of the teachers. If
the student is failing anyway, the procedures under #1 should
suffice. However, we sometimes encounter a student who is passing
everything else in the course and can “afford” a zero on a major
paper. This student may fail the entire semester regardless of the
average under the provisions of this policy |
Two methods: 1) The teacher completes a
“Notice of Failure to Master Significant Course Outcomes,” has the
student sign for receipt of it, and gives a copy to the Assistant
Principal and Counselor. The teacher sets a deadline, typically,
two weeks and is explicit about what needs to be completed. 2) The
teacher issues a grade of “LC” on a progress report. The deadline
is then the last class day of the grading period. |
At the end of the quarter,
the teacher assigns a grade of “F” for the quarter in which the
student failed to show mastery and a semester grade of “F”.
Note: A quarterly grade of
“I/F” is converted to a quarterly grade of “F” two weeks after the
end of the semester unless a teacher has provided notice of a longer
extension of time given the student. However, these grades are
averaged with the other quarter and the exam to determine the final
semester grade.
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“Culminating Assignment” |
Some culminating assignments are scheduled near
the end of a course. The teacher may have had no prior warning that
a student might choose not to do the assignment. This can trigger
the “Loss of Credit” policy provided the teacher clearly indicated
the consequences for missing this assignment in a written handout
distributed to all students at the start of the course, and to
parents at the Open House. It is recommended that teachers
distribute this handout when issuing textbooks, both in August, and
to mid-course transfers so that the textbook issuance record also
serves as the record of notice. |
In assignment major papers
or projects, failure to meet preliminary deadlines, such as topic
approval, note card check, or rough draft check, should be indicate
don progress reports since these are warning signs that the final
paper may be flawed, late or missing.
In cases where the student
fails to turn in a major point or project, the notice provided by
the handbook covering culminating activities, coupled with the
written teacher handout at the start of the course and at Open
Houses may be the only notice possible.
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At the end of the quarter, the teacher assigns
a grade of “F” for the quarter in which the student failed to show
mastery. At the end of the course, the teacher also records an “F”
for the semester. |
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