Madiba Prep Social Justice and Innovation -  Strong Minds. Kind Hearts

Grading Policy

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Equity-Centered Grading Considerations

Equity-centered grading focuses on ensuring that grades accurately reflect a student's mastery of learning standards rather than factors such as behavior, attendance, language proficiency, or access to resources. By prioritizing academic growth, multiple opportunities for demonstrating learning, and culturally responsive practices, we will ensure fairer grading systems that support student success while maintaining high expectations for all learners. Note: To ensure clarity regarding outcomes associated with each discipline, content area teachers will communicate with families the specific grading categories used to assess student performance.

Grading Criteria

Percentage (%)Performance LevelsDescriptors
0-64Level 1Work is below standards Meets few requirements of proficiency Demonstrates little knowledge or understanding
65-74Level 2Work approaches grade-level standards Meets some requirements of the proficiency level work Demonstrates some knowledge and understanding
75-85Level 3Work meets grade-level standards Meets the standards for proficiency level work Demonstrates knowledge and understanding
86-100Level 4Work exceeds grade-level standards Above the level of grade-level standards Demonstrates well-developed knowledge and understanding of subject matter
Traditional Grading
Categories
Equity-Centered Grading
English Language Arts (ELA) - Example
(Categories & scale)
Assessments - 40%
Homework - 20%
Classwork, Participation,
Work Habits - 25%
Extensions of Learning - 10%
Notebooks - 5%
  • Assessments: 40%
    • Mid-Unit Assessment -15%
      • NGLS - Text-based responses
      • NGLS - Short-constructed response
    • End of Unit Assessments 25%
      • NGLS -Text-based responses
      • NGLS - Short Constructed Response
      • NGLS - Extended Response
  • Classwork: 30%
    • Completion of in class activities
      • Graphic organizer
      • Entrance & Exit Tickets
      • Graphic Organizer
      • Text-based Responses; text dependent Questions
      • Quickwrites; short constructed responses
  • Effective Engagement in Discussion - 20%

    (considerations district and school goals; integration of discussion opportunities with accountable talk; speaking and listening standards)

    • Uses evidence from the text to support ideas.
    • Builds on or challenges a peer's thinking respectfully.
    • Asks clarifying or probing questions.
    • Makes connections between ideas, texts, or experiences.
    • Listens actively and responds to others' comments.
    • Contributes to collaborative problem-solving.
    • Demonstrates preparedness through note-taking, annotations, or written responses.
    • Uses academic language appropriately.
    • References previous discussion points when contributing.
  • Student Accountability (Homework) -10%

Science /STEM

Grading CategoryDetails
OverviewAssessment - 30% Classwork - 25% Projects/Labs- 20% Homework- 15% Participation - 10%
Assessments (30%) - The breakdown for assessments (in Science includes: ● Mid Unit Assessments ● End of Unit Assessments
Classwork (25%) - The breakdown for classwork (in Science includes: ● Do Nows ● CER (Claim, Evidence and Reasoning) Writing a Scientific Report ● Article Summary and Annotations ● Cluster Questions - Graph interpretation/analysis Worksheets ● Notebook Checks ● Scientific Journal
Projects/Labs (20%) - The breakdown for assessments (in Science includes: ● Lab Reports ● Accurate Equipment Usage
Homework (15%) - The breakdown for homework (in Science includes: ● Article
Participation (10%) - The breakdown for homework (in Science includes: ● Peer feedback ● Group Discourse ● Visual Constructs

Mathematics

Grading CategoryDetails
Formative Assessments — 40%● Mid-Unit Assessments ● End-of-Unit Assessments ● Major Performance Tasks
Micro Assessments- 20%● Quizzes ● Exit Tickets ● Checkpoints ● Short Skills Assessments ● In-class assessment tasks
Classwork / Practice — 30%● Daily Classwork ● Desmos/Amplify Activities ● Independent Practice ● Student Edition Work ● Math Discourse
Homework — 10%● Assigned Practice ● Digital Practice ● Review Assignments

Social Studies

Grading CategoryDetails
Performance Tasks30% - DBQ investigations, historical argument essays, political cartoon analysis, primary-source analysis, historical comparison tasks, debates
Assessments 25%Unit tests, quizzes, multiple-choice assessments, constructed responses, DBQ assessments
Classwork25% Do Nows, source analysis, DBQs, graphic organizers, maps/timelines, vocabulary, independent practice, CER responses, exit tickets

Ms. J. Middleton: Visual Arts, Theater and Film

Grading CategoryDetails
OverviewVisual Arts, Theater and Film Visual Arts, Theater and Film Classwork-20% Participation-10% Assessments-30% Projects-40% Performance Tasks: -Art Making: Crafts/Sculpture projects-2D/3D art work; -Performing arts: Scriptreading/Rehearsals and Performance -Analysis and Literacy- Critique; written and verbal justifications and responses -Connection and Reflection
Classwork 20%:- Activity worksheets-Art, Theater, Film History, Artists Biographies - Packet-Planning of Projects and Scripts
Participation 10%:-Do Now sheets -Exit Ticket Slips -Questions and Discussions of artwork, theater and videos/films -Notes on art, videos, documentaries -Rehearsals -Peer Critiques sheets -Self Reflection sheets -Oral Presentations ( optional )
Assessment 30%-Quizzes and Exams on art, theater, and film
Projects 40%-Art projects, Theatre Performance, Playwriting/Scriptwriting and Storyboarding

Spanish

Grading CategoryDetails
Classwork / Trabajo en clase35% -Daily practice, speaking, writing, collaboration / Práctica diaria, conversación, escritura, colaboración
Assessments / Evaluaciones30% Quizzes, tests, projects, presentations / Pruebas, exámenes, proyectos, presentaciones
Assignments / Tareas20% Homework, independent practice, projects / Tareas, práctica independiente, proyectos
Participation / Participación10%Effort, preparedness, Spanish use, collaboration / Esfuerzo, preparación, uso del español, colaboración

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