Title: Fair and Equitable Grading Practices for Students With LD Who Have IEPs | Parenting
Headings: Fair and Equitable Grading Practices for Students With LD Who Have IEPs
Fair and Equitable Grading Practices for Students With LD Who Have IEPs
A fair grading system
An equitable grading system
The “Non-evolution” of Grading Practices
Anatomy of a Grade
Accommodations, Modifications, and Grading
Individualized Grading, Based on Modified Goals or Curriculum
Keeping It Legal
Class-wide Grading Practices that Benefit All Students
Avoiding Giving Zeroes for Missing Work
Using Different Types of Assessments
Keep in Mind
References

Content: Fair and Equitable Grading Practices for Students With LD Who Have IEPs | Parenting
Parenting » Attention disorders, Learning disabilities » Fair and Equitable Grading Practices for Students With LD Who Have IEPs
Fair and Equitable Grading Practices for Students With LD Who Have IEPs
Get guidance from an expert on how an individualized grading system may benefit your child. by: GreatSchools Staff | January 13, 2010
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Grades are important, and it can be very upsetting when your child consistently brings home low grades. Especially when your child has a learning disability, you may be concerned about the impact that low grades have on her motivation and self-esteem. Or you may feel that low grades don’t reflect the huge amount of effort she puts into her school work. Although there’s no magic formula for “fair” grades, there are guidelines for grading practices for learners with Individualized Education Programs (IEP) that can help you advocate for your child. When parents, teachers, or schools raise issues of grading fairness and equity, it is often the result of confusion regarding the purposes for grades, and whether a “one-size-fits-all “grading system can work for learners with special needs, including those with learning disabilities. For a grading system to be fair and equitable, it must have as its philosophical basis a belief that fairness is defined as maintaining equity and meeting individual needs – not necessarily as “equality,” which is treating all students exactly the same. According to one expert: 1
A fair grading system
provides an opportunity for high grades to be earned
provides meaningful grades that reflect a student’s experience in the classroom
includes flexibility as needed to meet individual needs of students
An equitable grading system
maintains high student accountability even when a grading system is individualized
accurately matches grades to performance, even when accommodations are implemented
This article will discuss several aspects of grading that parents should be aware of as they advocate for their children with learning disabilities, especially when low or failing grades are the concern.