• Grading Guidelines

     
    A standard procedure for grading was established and implemented throughout the district in grades 1-5. The following guidelines provide a consistent method for measuring student achievement in every classroom using the same grading practices.
     
    The grades are based on performance in three categories: weekly assessments, unit assessments and assignments.
     
    Whenever students learn new material, they go through a period of time when they will probably make mistakes during the learning process. The purpose of practice assignments is not to evaluate where a student is in the learning process, but to diagnose any problems and to provide assistance when needed. Assignments can consist of many different types of informal assessments/practice, including quizzes, worksheets, and practice book pages.
     
    After students have initial instruction and practice on a topic, strategy or skill, it is important to determine their mastery of the information and skills. The purpose of weekly and unit assessments is to evaluate how well a student is able to apply the learning of the information/skills/strategies.
     
    Each nine-week period, parents will receive a report card that reflects nine weeks of performance in practice (assignments) and achievement (weekly and unit assessments) of the academic content.
     
     

    Grading Scale

    Grade

    Percent

    Regular Weight 

    PSP Weight/ IBMYP

    AP/CAS/IB

    A

    90-100

    4.0

    4.5

    5.0

    B

    80 - 89

    3.0

    3.5

    4.0

    C

    70 - 79

    2.0

    2.5

    3.0

    D

    60 - 69

    1.0

    1.5

    2.0

    E

    50 - 59

    0.0

    0.0

    0.0
      

    GPA Conversion

    Pittsburgh Public Schools converts letter grades into grade points using a Grade Point Conversion Chart.
     

    Percent Earned

    Letter Grade

     Grade Points
    90% or above A 4.0 
    80-89% B 3.0 
    70-79% C 2.0 
    60-69%  D 1.0 
    59% or below  E 0.0 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    To calculate GPA, the letter grades are converted into grade points. Those grade points are multiplied by the amount of credit that each class is worth. The grade points are multiplied by the credits, the result is the number of grade points earned. Then the grade points earned are added together and divided by the number of credits that were attempted. The result is called the Grade Point Average.
     

    Report Cards

     
    The report card is the most familiar way of communicating student progress. Report cards are issued four times during the school year at approximately nine-week intervals. The letter grades A, B, C, D and E are used to indicate academic progress. A citizenship mark is also given for the students’ behavior in each class. Citizenship marks are represented by the letters O for outstanding; S for satisfactory; and U for needs improvement.
     
    The report card verification form is to be signed by the parent or guardian and returned to school. A parent’s signature indicates that she/he is aware of a student’s performance. Parents are to check to see if a conference with the teacher is indicated. Parents may also request teacher conferences by calling their child’s school. The first three report cards are sent home with students. The fourth and final report card is mailed home within three weeks of the final day of school. If you suspect an error on the report card grades, please contact the school promptly.
     
    Please note: Grades close approximately 10 days before report cards are distributed. If your child’s grades improve after the close, the improvement will be reflected in the next grading period. 
     

    Progress Reports 

     
    Communication between teachers and parents is absolutely critical, and keeping parents informed of their child’s performance is accomplished in many ways. One of these ways is the use of Interim Progress Reports. At the mid-point of each of the four grading periods, teachers will evaluate student progress. If a child is not working to his or her potential, a progress report is mailed home. If a student’s grade is at risk of dropping two letter grades from the previous grading period, a report is also sent home to inform parents. A conference can be arranged in order to determine the best way to help a child before marks are closed for a particular grading period.
     

    Honor Roll

     
    Students who achieve a grade point average of 3.00 to 3.49 attain Honor Roll status. Those who achieve a grade point average of 3.5 to 4.00 are High Honor Roll students. Students who attain Honor and High Honor Roll will be awarded a certificate and recognized. In addition to the Academic Honor Roll, students who demonstrate respectful and responsible behavior earn Citizenship Honor Roll. A goal of Pittsburgh Public Schools is to produce outstanding citizens; therefore students who achieve all outstanding marks in citizenship will be recognized.