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Students' Grades

Student Progress

Reports concerning student progress shall be made to the parents or guardians of students in the School District at least four (4) times during the scholastic school year in grades K-12.  Parents or guardians who have children in grades 1 through 12 that are making failing grades shall receive a progress/deficiency notice or progress report at the midpoint of each applicable grading period.

Homework Policy

Students shall be provided with opportunities to enhance and expand their understanding of skills and concepts through appropriate homework assignments. Such assignments should logically relate to classroom activities.  Homework may be assigned to students on an individual and/or group basis, based on teacher judgment.

Student Responsibilities

Students will be expected to assume the following responsibilities when homework is assigned:

  1. Complete the assignment in the specified time period.
  2. Return the assignment on time.
  3. Do the best work possible when completing assignments.

Teacher Responsibilities

Teachers will be expected to assume the following responsibilities when homework is assigned

  1. Assign homework on a regular, but reasonable basis, keeping in mind the nature of the assignment and demands that may be placed on students by other teachers.
  2. Assign homework that is related to in-class instructional activities
  3. Grade or review the homework and return it to students on a timely basis.
  4. Utilize homework as an important part of student evaluation.
  5. Expect all students to complete assignments
  6. Refrain from assigning homework as punishment for disciplinary infractions.

Report Cards

Report cards are for the purpose of transmitting an evaluation of student progress to the student and his/her parents or guardians.  Report cards shall be issued at least four (4) times during the scholastic year to all students enrolled in Lowndes County Public Schools grades K-12. Letter grades shall be mandatory in kindergarten classes in the schools of the School District based on the following scale:

O = Outstanding
S = Satisfactory
H = Help Needed

First-Twelfth Grade

Numerical grades are mandatory in grades one through three. Letter grades are also used to enhance the understanding of students and parents in supportive skills. The following scale will be utilized
A = 90-100
B = 80-89
C = 70-79
D = 60-69
F = Below 60

Numerical grades are mandatory for all academic subjects in grades four through twelve in the school of the District based upon the following scale:
A = 90-100
B = 80-89
C = 70-79
D = 60-69
F = Below 60
FA = Failure Due to Absence
The letter grades "S" (Satisfactory) and "U" (Unsatisfactory) will be used to indicate grades in conduct for students enrolled in grades kindergarten through twelve. Students and parents or guardians are responsible for safeguarding report cards while they are in the possession.  If a report card is lost or damaged beyond use, a replacement report card will be completed and reissued for a $.50 fee.

Final Examination

Final examinations shall be used to evaluate student achievement when conducted in such a way that they effectively estimate the achievement of the goals and objectives on which learning activities have been based.

All students in grades nine through twelve shall take a final examination for each course in which the student is enrolled.  All final examinations will be administered according to a schedule approved by the Superintendent. Any student with an average of 92 or above in an elective course shall be exempted from taking the elective course final examination.  

Graduation Requirements

The Board will follow the graduation requirements adopted by the state Legislature and state Board of Education but reserves the right to increase the minimum standards.

7 units required for promotion to grade 10
14 units required for promotion to grade 11
21 required for promotion to grade 12
28 total units required for graduation

ACCESS

ACCESS Distance Learning (Alabama Connecting Classrooms, Educators, and Students Statewide), an education initiative of the Alabama Department of Education, provides opportunities and options for Alabama high school students to engage in Advanced Placement (AP), elective, and other courses wo which they may not otherwise have access. Any student entering the ninth grade during the 2009-2010 school or later must have at least one distance Learning Course on his/her transcript in order to receive a diploma.

CREDIT RECOVERY

In accordance with the guidelines of the Alabama Department of Education, the Lowndes County Public School System will offer students who have received a failing grade average of 40 through 59 in courses that are required for graduation an opportunity to recover the lost credit through a standards-based approach that  will target specific knowledge and skill deficits instead of requiring the student to repeat the entire course.  Such students must meet the eligibility requirements to apply.  Both parent/guardian and the student must sign a contract regarding the terms of this program.

Promotion and Retention Policy

The Board instructs the Superintendent to develop and maintain instructional objectives and performance standards for each grade level within the School District.  Parents/Guardians and students shall be made aware of the objectives and standards at the beginning of each school year via the use of written communication and the InformationNOW (INOW)  Periodically during the year, parents and students shall be provided written and oral evaluation reports during teacher-parent conferences indicating the student's progress.

Promotion of a student from one grade to the next shall be based soley on that individual student's achievement of the minimum skills necessary to qualfity for promotion and on regular school attendance.

DUAL ENROLLMENT/DUAL CREDIT FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Institutions within the Alabama College System are authorized to establish dula enrollment/dual credit programs with  local boards of education in the college service area.  Courses offered by postsecondary institutions shall be of postsecondary level and enrolled students must pay normal tuition as required by the postsecondary institution, or as stipulated if a contract for services between the two levels.  The tuition may be paid by a Board sponsored program.  A student is eligible for dual enrollment/dual credit if the student meets the following criteria:

  1. The student must meet the entrance requirements established by institutions of postsecondary education.
  2. The student must have a 3.0 average in completed high school courses.
  3. The student must have written approval of the appropriate principal and the local superintendent of education.
  4. The student must be in grade 10, 11, 12,  or have an exception granted by the participating postsecondary institution upon the recommendation of the studentts' principal and superintendent and in accordance with Alabama Administrative Code 290-8-9-17 regarding gifted and talented students.  ( See the Student Handbook for additional informaton)

Diplomas and Certificates Issued

ALL students shall earn the required creditis for the Alabama High School Diploma.  The local school board of education may establish requirements for receipt of diplomas and endorsements, but any endorsement shall include the requirements of the Alabama High School Diploma.

Eligibility for participation in graduation exercises

In order to participate in graduation exercises, all students must complete and fulfill all requirements for graduation in accordance with the selected diploma type selected.