HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes 16-09 WA Amending 6.03 Assessment Grade Reporting Amendment and Rescinding 6.03 WESTLAKE ACADEMY
RESOLUTION 16-09
A RESOLUTION OF THE WESTLAKE ACADEMY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
APPROVING AN AMENDMENT POLICY 6.03 - ASSESSMENT AND GRADE
REPORTING POLICY SECONDARY — MIDDLE YEARS PROGRAM AND DIPLOMA
PROGRAM AND RESCINDING POLICY 6.01 GRADING SYSTEM .
WHEREAS, Westlake Academy is subject to the grading expectations of the
International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO), this board policy must be revised for alignment
purposes; and
WHEREAS, the assessment and grading processes should reflect the Next Chapter
requirements for the Middle Years Programme, grade reporting, weighted grades and transfer
grades must be adjusted for equity; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees finds that the passage of this Resolution is in the best
interest of the citizens of Westlake as well as the students, their parents, and faculty of Westlake
Academy.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF
WESTLAKE ACADEMY:
SECTION 1: That, all matters stated in the recitals hereinabove are found to be true and
correct and are incorporated herein by reference as if copied in their entirety.
SECTION 2: That, the Board of Trustees of Westlake Academy, hereby approves the
amendments to the Assessment and Grade Reporting Policy for Westlake Academy attached to
this resolution as Exhibit "A':
SECTION 3: That, the Board of Trustees of Westlake Academy, hereby rescinds Policy
6.01: Grading System, Westlake Academy, but reserves the policy number for future use as
attached to this resolution as Exhibit `B':
SECTION 4: If any portion of this resolution shall, for any reason, be declared invalid
by any court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity shall not affect the remaining provisions
hereof and the Council hereby determines that it would have adopted this Resolution without the
invalid provision.
Resolution WA 16-09
Page I of 6
SECTION 4: That this resolution shall become effective from and after its date of
passage.
PASSED AND APPROVED ON THIS 10" DAY OF AUGUST 2016.
t
Laura Wheat, President
ATTEST:
Kelly dwards oard Secretary Thomas E. Br er, uperintendent
APPROVE TO F
Jar ubert o to on Lowry,
School Attorney
Resolution WA 16-09
Page 2 of 6
Exhibit A
TOWN OF WESTLAKE
WESTLAKE ACADEMY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES POLICY
Policy No. 6.03:
Date Board Adopted: November 3, 2009
Date Board Amended: August 10, 2016
Effective Date: August 10, 2016
Policy Cate-go Student Achievement
Policy Name: Assessment and Grade Reporting Policy
Secondary— Middle Years Program and Diploma
Program
Policy Goal: Definition, uniformity, and transparency in the Academy's Secondary
(MYP and DP) assessment and grading policy.
Policy Description:
Grading Policy
Uniform assessment of achievement and grade reporting standards are an important
component to support student success in the Secondary (MYP and DP) programs at
Westlake Academy. In order to accurately reflect the academic achievement of
students, the Academy shall develop grading standards that incorporate the following
purposes:
• Reflect a student's mastery of the curriculum as demonstrated by the
student's performance on exams, homework assignments, projects, etc.
• Allow the parent to easily identify and gauge their child's performance and
progress
• Promote consistency across grade level(s) of assessment standards and
grade reporting
• Assist colleges in determining the scope of a student's academic
achievement
• Demonstrate college readiness
• Identify any subject area where a student may need additional assistance to
reach educational goals
Resolution WA 16-09
Page 3 of 6
In order to promote the above-identified purposes and establish comprehensive grade
assessment and reporting standards for the student body of Westlake Academy, Staff
will develop uniform gradinglassessment guidelines for all secondary grades and
publish the information in the Parent/Student Handbook and on the Academy's web site
on an annual basis. These guidelines will address the Academy's assessment
philosophy and practices, the roles of summative and formative assessments, the role
of grades, and the role of criterion—based rubrics and assessment.
Use of Assessments
Staff will administer a variety of assessments to measure student knowledge and
progress throughout the year. The frequency and type of assessment utilized will be
program specific (i.e. Middle Years or Diploma Program) and will be published in the
Parent/Student Handbook.
In the Secondary School (Middle Years and Diploma Program), a student shall not be
required to complete more than two major assessments/tests on the same day.
In addition, SENIORS in the Diploma Program sitting for the IB exams may be exempt
from final exams based on criteria adopted by the Executive Principal or his/her
designee.
Grade & Progress Reports
Westlake Academy will send home grade reports at the end of each quarter
(approximately nine-week period). Additionally, parents shall receive interval reports on
student progress once each semester by parent/teacher conference. This will allow
parents to meet with teachers and briefly discuss their child's progress. Additional
concerns may be addressed as needed at conferences scheduled at the request of the
teacher or a parent any time during the school year.
Weighted Grades
The Academy shall identify courses for which weighted grades will be assigned and
designate the courses and grade weighting procedures in the Parent/Student
Handbook. The Academy shall record the weighted numerical grades on each
student's academic achievement record.
When a transfer student enters Westlake Academy with an academic achievement
record that includes a grade that was subject to a grade-weighting system from another
school, the Academy shall convert the weighted grade to reflect the grading scale
applicable to the same or equivalent course offered by Westlake Academy. This
paragraph applies only if the same or equivalent course is offered to the same class of
students at the Academy.
Resolution WA 16-09
Page 4 of 6
Evaluation of Credits for Transfer Students
The Academy accepts credits from other public schools accredited by the State of
Texas. Transfer students may also request a transfer of credits from privately-
accredited educational institutions. Upon receipt of a transcript, courses will be
evaluated by Westlake Academy to determine if the course meets the requirements for
graduation from a Texas high school, as well as any applicable standards for Westlake
Academy. Parents/Students are responsible for providing any additional information
requested by the Academy that it deems necessary for the evaluation of transfer credits.
In order to receive credit for completed coursework, students entering Westlake
Academy from a non-accredited school or from home schooling must take credit-by-
exam (CBE) tests approved in advance by Westlake Academy. Students are
responsible for any applicable fees associated with these tests and must achieve
acceptable test scores based on the standards of the administering organization.
Guidelines consistent with these policies will be developed by Staff and published in the
Parent/Student Handbook.
Dates Amended:
08/11/14
Resolution WA 16-09
Page 5 of 6
Exhibit B
TOWN OF WESTLAKE
WESTLAKE ACADEMY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES POLICY
Policy No. 6.01:
Date Board Adopted:
Date Board Amended:
Effective Date:
Policy Category:
Policy Name: RESERVED FOR FUTURE USE
Policy Goal:
Policy Description:
Resolution WA 16-09
Page 6 of 6