BLOUNT COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION POSITION STATEMENT ON
K-12 GRADING AND ASSESSMENT REPORTING
All K-12 teachers will use the InformationNOW gradebook along with a back-up hard copy to prepare accurate progress
reports and end-of-term report cards. Grades should accurately reflect student achievement toward mastery of the content
standards. In order to do this, the use of bonus points and extra credit on assignments should be avoided unless these
opportunities are equitably offered and connected to standard-related increased student achievement. Teachers should strive
to record a minimum of nine assignments per grading period and should maintain student results as up-to-date as possible in
the INow Parent Portal. Recommended grade percentage breakdowns are as follows:



It is recommended that teachers use the “Category Points” or “Total Points” method for calculating grades. This avoids
the statistically unsound practice of averaging averages. The use of “Category Points” is strongly encouraged.
Skills-based summative assessments (cumulative tests and chapter/unit tests) and classroom supported research
papers/projects, when assigned, should account for a minimum of 70% of the nine-weeks’ average. Final grades should
reflect evidence of student learning over time as supported by the formative assessments process.
Homework and/or classwork combined should account for no more than 30% of the nine-weeks’ average.
Blount County Schools 4-12 Grading Scale
A+
A
A–
B+
B
B–
C+
C
C–
D+
D
D–
F
96.50 and above
93.50 –96.49
89.50–93.49
86.50–89.49
83.50–86.49
79.50–83.49
76.50–79.49
73.50–76.49
69.50–73.49
66.50–69.49
63.50–66.49
59.50–63.49
59.49 and below
In accordance with Blount County
Board of Education policy, K-3 students
must demonstrate 70% mastery in the
reading and math programs in order to
be considered for promotion to the next
grade level.
Purposes of Effective Standards and Skills-Based Student Grades
 To provide information to students and parents regarding standards-based academic achievement.
 To provide information to students and parents on progress toward achievement of proficiencies and benchmarks
established in curricula areas.
 To provide information on student academic performance and progress toward promotion.
 To provide information to parents and students regarding areas of strengths as well as areas in need of improvement
for success at each grade level.
 To provide information that will be used along with achievement test scores, Individualized Education Plans (IEP),
Personal Education Plans (PEP), and teacher observations to determine appropriate placement.
Objectives
The type of grade report will vary with the grade and subject being studied. Grades should reflect mastery of content
standards and/or educational plan goals. The following should be considered at each level:
K-2
Teachers will use checklist reports, portfolios, and/or benchmark assessments. Reports should reflect mastery of the state
course of study and/or Common Core Standards in Language Arts and Math. Parents will be informed about the time frame
for mastery of specific skills and the requirements for promotion. Parents will be involved and asked to assist with student
non-mastery. Weekly folders will be sent home to foster two-way communication with parents regarding student progress.
3-6
Reading and math goals will be explained at the first parent meeting or in letters to parents at the beginning of the school
year. Benchmark assessments, when applicable, will be used to determine mastery. Parents will be involved and asked to
assist with non-mastery. Weekly folders, reports, or newsletters will be sent home to communicate success and areas of need
to parents. A teacher-generated newsletter will inform parents of the specific grading procedures.
7-12
Teachers will inform parents/guardians of the grading percentages, homework percentage, nine-week and/or semester exam
percentages on the take-home syllabus issued to each student for each course.
Responsibilities
Principal
 Each principal has the responsibility of initiating discussion of this position statement with respective faculties and
coordinating the implementation with the faculty.
 Each principal should periodically review the grading practices of teachers to ensure that all students are being fairly
assessed on the standards and that student grades accurately reflect academic achievement.
 Principals will monitor and ensure that teachers are keeping grades current in the INow Parent Portal.
Teacher
 Teachers should be able to articulate to students and parents the skills that students are expected to master as well as
areas of strengths and weaknesses in order to help students progress and master essential skills for a subject. Final
grades should correlate to skill mastery levels although progress toward mastery may be documented and reported
through formative assessment methods.
 Each teacher, with the help of the principal, has the responsibility of communicating to parents and students the
benefits of high standards and the need to master proficiencies and benchmarks in the normal progression of school.
 Teachers are responsible for following the guidelines included within this statement and should be able to justify and
defend their grading practices and decisions, especially if final grades differ from accumulated numerical values.
 Teachers will submit copies of their grading plans to the principal or designee.
 Teachers must carefully consider the detrimental impact of zeros in final student grades. Missing assignments do not
provide evidence of student learning, and zeros on assignments with large point values often punish students beyond
the point of recovery. One possible strategy might be to count missing assignments no less than 50% of the total
point value. This would give the student an F on the same comparative scale as other grades A through D. Teachers
may also report incompletes until assignments are submitted and more accurate determinations can be made
regarding student achievement.
 Teachers are required to teach the Alabama Courses of Study and/or Common Core standards.
 It is the responsibility of the teacher to help students achieve. Extra credit points should be used sparingly and then
only for demonstrated academic improvement. Points should not be used as rewards or punishments for nonacademic behavior.
 Teachers will maintain all grades current and up-to-date in the INow Parent Portal.
Parent
 Parents have the responsibility to require their child to complete classwork and homework.
 Parents have the responsibility to encourage their child to exhibit qualities that comprise a successful student (i.e.
punctuality, responsibility, and honesty).
 Parents should strive to understand the teacher’s assessment/grading plan and assist their child in understanding and
following this plan, including tracking student progress to the extent possible.
Student
 Students have the responsibility to complete all assignments.
 Students should strive to fully understand a teacher’s assessment/grading plan.
 Students must demonstrate responsibility for their own learning and work cooperatively with teachers to master
content standards.
 Each student must achieve mastery of course content and retain the fundamental knowledge learned.
 Students who have not mastered course content must participate in intervention programs offered to assist with
required mastery.