Grading & Report Cards

Deer Creek uses a standard-based grading system to assess student progress in content understanding and work habits development. Student grades are recorded in Infinite Campus, which students and parents can access through the Campus portal. It allows viewers to see gradebook entries for the student in each class, including scores for assignments, assessments and missing work. Updated weekly, the portal is the easiest and quickest way to stay up-to-date on student academic progress.

Deer Creek Grading Policies and Practices

Deer Creek uses a standards-based grading system that is consistent with research-based, data-driven educational practices.  All students will receive two separate grades in each class. 

The primary goals of standards-based grading and reporting are:

• To assess and report what each student knows and is able to do in relation to curriculum content, which is aligned to district and state standards (Content Knowledge Grade).
• To demonstrate the connection of positive and consistent work habits and behavior to student learning (Work Habits Grade).
• To provide guidance regarding interventions needed for student success.

How are Content Knowledge Grades determined?

1. Content Knowledge Grades are based on student demonstration of academic achievement; therefore, Content Knowledge Grades are:

• Determined by a body of academic evidence that supports the achievement of standards in a content area.
• Determined through the use of multiple assessments over time as well as the opportunity for retakes if necessary. Retake opportunities/multiple opportunities for demonstration of learning are an integral part of standards-based grading and reporting.
• Reflective of tasks completed, whether in or out of class, to demonstrate an understanding of content knowledge and skills (e.g. assessments, demonstrations, projects, presentations, research papers, etc.).

2. Content Knowledge Grades for each trimester reflect the standards embedded in the course during that term and should be aligned accordingly with expected progress for the trimester.

Content Knowledge Grade Descriptors for Trimester Grading Scale:

3. Because content knowledge grades are a reflection of student learning and achievement, teachers do not offer extra credit opportunities. Students should utilize retakes and redos that their teachers offer to demonstrate their growth and mastery over content.

Content Knowledge Grades will be used to calculate grade point average (GPA).

How are Work Habits Grades determined?

Work Habits Grades are based on student demonstration of behaviors related to work completion, preparedness for learning, participation, and following classroom expectations.  A sample Work Habits rubric is attached.  These behaviors contribute to academic success as well as the ability to be lifelong learners and positive contributors to society.

Specifically, Work Habits Grades are:

• Determined based on tasks that are assigned for practice or preparation, including homework completion and homework quality. (Homework that is strictly practice will be considered a Work Habits Grade. Homework that is an integral part of an assignment, such as a Science lab report, essay, or component of a project, will be a Content Knowledge Grade in most cases.)
• Determined by other factors such as work completion, class participation, neatness, effort, class behavior and attitude, student notebooks, and journals. This data may be collected through observation and objective indicators.

Work Habits Grade Descriptors for Trimester Grading Scale:

Work Habits Grades will not be part of the grade point average (GPA).  

Student grades are updated routinely and can be viewed through Infinite Campus by both parents/guardians and students. Deer Creek counselors are available to work with families on academic issues, peer relationships, and personal situations. The administrators are also available to meet with families and teachers. When communication is effective, the likelihood of student success is significantly improved.

Access to student assessment data (district and state assessments) can be found under Student Insights. 

All students are expected to work toward proficiency. Students must demonstrate proficiency on related assessments to demonstrate their understanding of the standards and learning objectives. Teachers will provide multiple opportunities for students to demonstrate their proficiency in content knowledge on significant assignments, assessments and projects, which may include alternative assignments or assessments.

• For students to redo work, they may be required to meet additional conditions, such as obtaining a parent’s or guardian’s signature on the original work, attending help sessions or completing corrections.
• Because trimester grades are final, work turned in after the end of the term will not impact a previous grade. Additionally, assessments given at the end of the term may not be affected by retakes.

All work is expected to be turned in by the class period when it is due. All teachers accept late work for full content knowledge credit before the final unit assessment within the current unit of study. The work habits grade will be impacted by work turned in late.

In order to redo work, students may be required to meet additional conditions, such as obtaining a parent/guardian signature on the original work, attending help sessions, or completing corrections with the unit of study.

Makeup work will be provided for any class in which a student has an excused absence. It is the student's responsibility to pick up any makeup assignments the day they return to class. There shall be two days allowed for makeup with an unexcused absence with the goal of providing the student an opportunity to keep up with the class and as an incentive to attend school.

For additional information, please see Board Doc, JH - Student Absences and Excuses

During Base Camp, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, teachers can create Responsive Scheduling help sessions and schedule students on those days to go directly to that teacher’s class during Base Camp.

• Responsive scheduling is a feature in Infinite Campus that allows teachers to assign students to help sessions offered during Base Camp on Access days (T/W/R).
• Teachers may schedule students for help sessions for a variety of reasons, including additional help, make-up work, assessments, skills groups, school service work, etc.
• Students will check their schedules each day to see where they go during Base Camp on a help session day.  They will go directly to that teacher for Base Camp that day instead of their Base Camp teacher.
  • Students are expected to attend the responsive scheduling teachers have scheduled. If they do not, they will have an unexcused absence.
  • If a student needs more time with a teacher, they should advocate to their teacher to get extra help and be scheduled for Base Camp.