The ELD grading pracitces_ CMS Ms. Murray

Ms. Murray taught in 7th and 8th grade English Language Development (ELD) and 7th and 8th grade English Language Arts for English Language Learner (ELA for ELL). She earned a BA in Psychology in 1977, and a teaching credential in 1979.
She has taught bilingual elementary classrooms, monolingual classrooms, and middle school and she has a multiple subjects credential. She always taught in southern California, for the past twenty-six years she has taught for Central School District.
The grading policy in Cucamonga Middle School (CMS) as follows:
90-100 A
80-89% B
70-79% C
50-69% D
Every teacher in CMS uses the same grading systems: GradeQuick grade software. Everything is assigned a number, even writing. It is a very good and convenient software that teacher can print out the result and see the average on graphics. The grades are reported on Edline, which parents and students can access at any time. Students at CELDT level 1 & 2 have modified work, and she gives full points if they complete the work she assigned. If the students are not able to complete a particular in any form she will excuse it. In the case that Some Level 1 students, maybe one every two years, are at such a low level of education when they enter the her class. She doesn’t feel it’s honest to give a letter grade. As a result, she just gave a “Pass” grade on the report card. “Grades motivate most students, but not all.” She said.
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Siera and Gabby are the two remarkable students in the ELD class. Tracking their learning process, it’s not hard to find that they both are falling behind. She always walks over to them at the beginning of an assignment to support them and get them started. Siera just moved in from Mexico to the United States and Gabby has been here for four years. After she noticed their lower grade, she decided to shorten their assignment at that time. Sometimes she will offer after-school tutoring for these lower grade students or someone who needs help. In face, some students accept the help, some don’t.
All of ELD class assignments in CMS are based on standards, so if students do well on assignments then they will do better on standards assessments for the state! However, scores on the annual state tests are not part of the grades on report cards. Schools don’t even receive the scores until summer. It is possible for a hardworking student to earn good grades, but still do poorly on the standardized tests given by the state of California. Likewise, it is possible for a lazy student to fail classes but do well on the standardized tests. It is not common, but it happens.
Overall, grades are based on effort. Students who complete work and hand it in earn good grades. Students who do not complete work or hand it in earn poor grades. Grades are more a product of attitude than of intelligence.