Third Quarter Grading for the 2019-2020 School Year

April 1st, 2020

The State Superintendent suspended classes for all Maryland students beginning March 13 and continuing through April 24, 2020, in an effort to protect communities during the COVID-19 crisis. Following is an update on how HCPSS will handle grading for the 3rd quarter marking period, which was previously scheduled to end on April 3, 2020.

The decisions about 3rd quarter grading are based on three primary goals, which are consistent with the goals for the overall HCPSS instructional program:

• Providing meaningful feedback on student achievement for students, parents, teachers and other stakeholders
• Ensuring equity, by providing the access, opportunities and support needed to help students reach their full potential and removing barriers to success
• Ensuring fairness in assessing student work for the quarter

For all students, HCPSS will base 3rd quarter grades on work assigned on and prior to March 13, 2020, the last day schools were in session, because the majority of the quarter had already taken place when schools were closed.

• Teachers will continue to grade work assigned prior to March 13 that has been received, and will continue grading through April 24, allowing students to submit 3rd quarter work that was due by March 13 but had not yet been submitted. This will allow students to improve their grades, if desired.
• IEP and 504 plans will be honored in the completion of all work.

Additionally, for middle and high school students:

• Students may, at the direction of their teacher, complete work assigned between April 14-24 to improve their 3rd quarter grade.
• No new assignment submissions will negatively impact the grade earned by March 13.
• Third quarter grades will be entered the week of April 27.
• Grade changes may be made within 45 days. This reminder is intended to reduce the pressure associated with the demands on teachers and students over the next 3 weeks.
• Work assigned or completed between April 14-24 will not impact 4th quarter grades.

Decisions about grading for the 4th quarter await further guidance from the Maryland State Department of Education on the length of school closures.