Grading during a period of remote learning will look different from grading during normal school business. This is both true in general and true because of the brief and interruptive transition of this specific period of closure. Some general guidelines for grading will hold true for the remote learning program:

• Teachers will provide feedback whenever possible. This feedback does not always constitute a grade, but will help students and families measure learning progress.

• Teachers will provide more flexibility in grading activities to be sensitive to student and family concerns. They will balance this sensitivity with learning expectations and include participation grades when possible and appropriate.

• Teachers will determine the balance between quality and participation grades as necessary for their subject and student grade level.

• For grades 6-12, grade information will be posted in PowerSchool.

• Different grade levels will determine different grading approaches. See details below.

• Teachers will use the grading system adopted by the level of the class, not the level of the building. For instance, a junior high teacher teaching Algebra I, which is a grade 9 level class, will follow the high school grading system.

High School Grading Policy

Teachers teaching classes at the level of grades 9-12 will continue to use the Sylvania regular, honors, and AP grading scales. Assignments will be graded and reported in PowerSchool to calculate toward a final quarter 4 grade, and that grade will be calculated with the already-entered final quarter 3 grade to determine a semester grade for each class. No semester two exams will be administered, so semester two grades will depend on quarter 3 and 4 grades exclusively. Refer to this document for details.

Considering the individual challenges of remote learning, the high school grading policy includes a harm prevention clause. Any student who demonstrates reasonable effort in remote learning during quarter 4 will receive a quarter 4 grade that is no lower than their recorded quarter 3 grade. In the case that a grade is lower, the teacher will override the quarter 4 grade to match the quarter 3 grade. This policy does not take effect in cases where students have done little to no work and efforts from the school to support them have been refused. (Link- email sent to high school families on April 23)

Please note that some junior high students are taking high school-level classes, whether in their junior high building or by traveling to a high school. In those classes, students will adhere to the high school grading scale. Here is a list of common high school courses that junior high students take. If you are unsure about the level of a course, please contact the course teacher.

Algebra I

Geometry (Honors and Regular)

Algebra II (Honors and Regular)

Physical Science (Honors and Regular)

German I

Spanish I

Spanish II

French I

French II

Graduation

High school seniors and any other student in line to graduate in spring will only be required to complete the 22 credit hours required by Sylvania Schools policy. In light of recent state legislation, high schools will not hold students accountable for meeting Graduation Pathways based on Ohio State Tests, ACT, SAT, or other measures. Only the 22 credits will be needed. Reach out to a counselor for any questions regarding graduation status.

English Language Arts: 4 Credits

Mathematics: 4 Credits (including Algebra II)

Social Studies: 3 Credits (including World Studies, American History, and American Government)

Science: 3 Credits (including Physical Science, Biology, and one advanced science course)

Physical Education: 1/2 Credit (including two semesters of physical education or summer equivalent)

Health: 1/2 Credit

Electives: 6 Credits

Fine Arts: 1 Credit

Students not graduating this year will be required to complete these 22 credits, and the district will provide further information on other state requirements as state guidance develops.

For details and guidance from the state, visit this page.

Junior High School Grading Policy

Teachers teaching classes at the level of grades 6-8 will use a pass/fail grading system. Assignments will be graded and reported in PowerSchool, but they will not calculate toward a final grade. The posting will help students and families see progress in the course, but no final grade will be shown. Teachers will determine passage based on the needs of each course. Refer to this document for details.

Elementary School Grading Policy

During the remote learning period, elementary teachers will focus on feedback for parents instead of grades. Each teacher of general education content areas, specials content areas, and special education goals progress will provide feedback to students and parents that is appropriate to the content area and task. This feedback will come through a variety of forms, including responses to posted work, live video conferences, email communication, and responses to questions. 

In addition, toward the end of the year, general education teachers will provide a summative reflection of each student’s work over the year. This summative reflection will take the place of a final grade card. Teachers have provided feedback through grade cards and progress reports from the first to third quarter. The summative reflection will address those points and any extra evidence that has been accumulated through remote learning. The emphasis here is on useful feedback that will help students and parents reflect on each student’s progress throughout the year and provide a focus for next year’s education.