1. Mariposa USD Universal
Grading Guidelines
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Providing a consistent
experience for our
students and parents
8/20/14

2. All of the following are guidelines,
with room for variance -
for example, an AP class will
have differences from a TK class.
The spirit of all of the guidelines is a consistent
experience for kids between teachers and classes.
The goal of these guidelines is to provide parents and
students a point of reference on their performance and what
their feedback should be, in general, in most cases.

3. Mariposa Universal Grading Guidelines
Why?
We should provide
a smooth gradebook
experience district wide
from K-12
TK 12

4. Mariposa Universal Grading Guidelines
Providing a consistent experience for our students
1. Grades should typically be updated online once a week.
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Students and parents need routine feedback.
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Larger projects may take longer to grade.
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5. Mariposa Universal Grading Guidelines
Providing a consistent experience for our students
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2. As a guideline, classwork and homework should equal approximately 60% of
a student grade, with tests and quizzes comprising the rest.
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Some models might include: 60/40 or 30/30/40 or 30/30/20/20, with a
balanced approach that doesn’t overrate either tests or classwork/homework.

6. Mariposa Universal Grading Guidelines
Providing a consistent experience for our students
3. Coding:
Work should only get a ZERO if no points were scored. When
students are absent or have time to make an assignment because of
sports or some other legitimate event, teachers should check the box
in Aeries that is labelled “Work can be made up”. A note in the parent
portal indicating that the reason of the low score is an ideal addition.
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These codes will give parents more information when they access grades.
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7. Mariposa Universal Grading Guidelines
Providing a consistent experience for our students
Grade 4 and up
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4. Late work: missing assignments should be marked at
a maximum of 70%, losing 10% point value per week,
until the trimester or quarter ends.
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At the end of a grading period (quarter or trimester), the score becomes
permanent.
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*In class assignments may be given a “no makeup” option - these are typically
completed in less than one class.
*Absences always receive makeup time
This process will not likely be needed below grade 4

8. Mariposa Universal Grading Guidelines
Providing a consistent experience for our students
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5. In the place of “extra credit”, meaning additional work
done outside the normal scope of class, students should be
able to earn bonus points for finishing and turning in work
before established deadlines.
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This encourages students to finish their work early and have
time for feedback before the assignment is due.
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The idea is to get kids finishing work earlier and not have the option of raising a grade at the “last second”

9. Mariposa Universal Grading Guidelines
Providing a consistent experience for our students
!
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6. Emails or messages from parents or students
regarding grades should be returned within three
business days.
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Ideally, answers will happen in one business day - but
sometimes folks are busy with projects and events.
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The time frame is a suggestion

10. Proposed Mariposa Universal Grading Guidelines
Providing a consistent experience for our students
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Timeline to implement grading guidelines
Fall 2014
Iteration
Winter 2014
Training for staff begins:
Webpages, handbooks updated
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Teachers may begin using the
processes and language
Rollout
Spring 2015
Full Implementation
As grade cycles are completed,
parents, student and teachers
continue to implement and
refine feedback processes.
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Parent and student surveys provide
feedback from stakeholders

11. 1. Grades should typically be updated online once a week.
2. As a guideline, classwork and homework should be balanced with
test and quiz points that are available
3. Assignments that are missing should be marked as able to be made
up and noted as such, when applicable
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4. Late work: missing assignments should be marked at a maximum of 70%, losing
10% point value per week, and closing the end of a quarter or semester.
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5. In the place of “extra credit” students should be able to earn bonus points for
finishing and turning in work before established deadlines.!
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6. Emails or messages from parents or students regarding grades should be
returned within three business days.
Mariposa Universal Grading Guidelines