The Highline School Board recognizes the agency of families and students in leading their education, and therefore believes that collaboration and clear communication with families about student learning and growth is critical.
Annual conferences with teachers, students and families will support year-round communication to support student learning. Grades, progress reports, and other communication will provide families with continual information about students’ learning and progress.
The district will comply with the grading system used by the statewide standardized high school transcript. Secondary students’ grades will be reported for each individual term and cumulatively. Highline uses a standard 5-point grading scale at the high school level. Based on the grading system outlined in the course syllabus or similar document, students will receive one of the following grades upon completion of a course: A, B, C, D, P, or NC (no credit). It is expected that the P grade will be used in advisory and in other limited circumstances.
Students who receive an NC may have a credit recovery plan that is developed between the teacher and student. A student who fails to complete the recovery plan within the designated time shall have the NC permanently on their transcript.
The Board directs the Superintendent to establish a system of reporting student progress based on identified learning standards and staff members shall comply with such a system as part of their teaching responsibility. The Counseling Manual will outline the various reporting requirements, as well as other details of the grading process.
At the beginning of each term each teacher will specify in writing the essential standards for their course(s) in a syllabus or similar document. If an opportunity to demonstrate mastery of an objective is provided on a specific day, a student's grades may be adversely affected by an absence on that day. Individual students who feel that an unjust application of attendance or tardiness factors has been made, may follow the appeal process for resolving the differences.
A student’s diploma may be withheld until such time the student pays for any school property that has been lost or willfully damaged or provides the equivalent of payment through voluntary work. Upon payment or voluntary work, the diploma will be released. The student or his/her family may appeal the imposition of a charge for damages to the Superintendent and Board of Directors.
District Cross References:
Excused and Unexcused Absences - Policy 3122 Student Fines, Fees and Charges - Policy 3520
WSSDA Cross References:
Grading and Progress Reports – Policy 2420
Legal Reference:
Basic Education Act- Certificated teaching & administrative staff as accountable for classroom teaching- Scope- Responsibilities- Penalty - RCW 28A.150.240(2)(g)
Grading policies — Option to consider Attendance - RCW 28A.600.030
Defacing or injuring school property — Liability of pupil, parent, or guardian Withholding grades, diploma, or transcripts —Suspension and restitution —Voluntary work program as alternative — Rights protected - RCW 28A.635.060
Responsibilities Related to instruction - WAC 180-44-010
Student testing and evaluation —Washington State Honors Award Program - WAC 392-210 Discipline — Conditions and limitations - WAC 392-400-235
Secondary Education —Standardized High School Transcript - WAC 392-415
Highline School District 401
Adopted by the Board: August 1984
Revised by the Board: 6.15; 5.18; 6.20; 8.21, 07.22, 06.23
Classification: Priority