Middle School Credit System

Fred Heid, SuperintendentMay 20, 2015

Proposed D300 Middle School Assessment Enhancement Plan

Major Plan Components:

I. District Wide Middle School Grading Policy– Target Effective Date: 15-16 School Year

II. Middle School Credit System– Target Effective Date: Phased in Starting 15-16 School Year for Incoming 6th Grade

Students– Credits for Core Classes– Credit Recovery Process– Revised Promotion/Retention Criteria

III. Middle School Report Card– Target Date: Review of Current MS Report Card for Possible Revision

Why Is This Needed?• The current pupil progression plan allows students to be promoted

if they fail two core academic areas.

• The issue is that students can, and do, fail the same core areas for multiple years arguable predisposing them to poor performance in the high school.

For example: 8th grade student issue tis last summer.

Proposed D300 Middle School Credit & Promotion Requirements

Middle Credit SystemCourse Semester Credit Determination of Semester Earned Credit

Points Needed to Earn Semester

Credit

Average Percentage Needed to Earn Semester Credit

LA/Lit 1.0 Fall and 1.0 Spring= 2 per year (Combined)

4 60% or higher

Math 0.5 Fall and 0.5 Spring= 1 per year

2 60% or higher

Science 0.5 Fall and 0.5 Spring= 1 per year

2 60% or higher

Social Studies

0.5 Fall and 0.5 Spring= 1 per year

2 60% or higher

Proposed Middle School Credit Process• Students must receive the minimum points OR average 60% or higher between

the two quarters to successfully earn the semester credit for each course.

• For example, a student earns a 58% in Science during the first quarter and a 63% in Science during the second quarter. In this case, the student averaged 60.5% for the semester. Even though they only earned one point at the conclusion of the semester, their average is above the 60% threshold so they earn the credit.

• In any course where the minimum points are not earned in a given semester or the average grade is under 60%, the student would be referred for credit recovery.

• Parent and team communication and intervention steps would occur at each grading term (quarter).

Proposed Middle School Credit Recovery Options 2015-2016

Students complete semester Credit Recovery via the Odysseyware program:

• Option 1: Before/After School Credit Recovery during School Year

• Option 2: At Home Credit Recovery during School Year. All assessments would be completed at designated sites or specific dates.

• Option 3: Summer Credit Recovery (fee based)

What It Does Not Do

• Does not create an increase in retention• Due to existing licenses it does not create an

additional cost for the credit recovery program• Does not eliminate various options that can

override the grade due to the students ability to demonstrate adequate performance.