Common Syllabus
Course Expectations
LBSS Grading Philosophy
We are professional educators who strive to use assessment and grading to communicate what our students have learned and their level of understanding. The Lake Braddock grading policy will be consistent, fair, and rational and will be communicated appropriately within our school community.
Lake Braddock Grading Policy
Grades
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Grades are based on student achievement, knowledge, and skill proficiency demonstrated in the classroom.
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The grading policy for each collaborative team will be clearly communicated with parents and students.
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The assessments and assignments that make up a student’s grade will be clearly communicated in the SIS electronic grade book.
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Assignments will be graded and grades will be posted within 7 school days after the due date with the understanding that major projects/papers may require additional time to ensure quality feedback (per FCPS policy).
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Parents and students are encouraged to access the SIS gradebook on a regular basis.
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Student progress will be communicated regularly through electronic progress reports.
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All grades entered into the gradebook will relate directly to the standards listed in the Program of Studies or other designated curriculum and should reflect a student’s mastery of content or skills.
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Student’s attendance, effort, attitude or other behaviors will be communicated to parents through report comments or other means that do not include grades.
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Late work will be accepted to document learning/mastery. Teacher teams must set reasonable guidelines for turning in late work to encourage work completion by their students. If a student misses an assignment, a placeholder (such as M for missed, I for incomplete, etc.) should be entered into the grade book.
Weighted grades
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Teachers and collaborative teams will use a weighted grading system that will be reflected in the SIS grading program.
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Lake Braddock collaborative teams will specify the percentage weight of grades in their syllabi in compliance with the FCPS Grading policy.
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Collaborative teams will set grading design so that no one assignment/assessment counts more than 30% of the quarter grade.
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Collaborative teams will have their own consistency in regards to weighting.
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In accordance with FCPS policy, homework for practice or preparation for instruction will not count for more than 10% of the grade.
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Class participation may be included in a student’s grade if it is based on the quality of a student response and not the quantity of responses. If a team will include class participation in a student’s grade, guidelines for assessing must be included in the course syllabus.
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The number of categories and weighting of grades will be consistent across collaborative teams.
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Collaborative Teams will organize their grade book using three or four basic categories: Mastery, Skill Demonstration, Knowledge, and Practice. (Teams may combine Skill Demonstration and Knowledge categories.
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Lake Braddock Secondary Categories Defined:
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Mastery - Comprehensive application of knowledge and skills.
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Knowledge - Awareness and/or understanding of a subject/standard (facts, information, description or skills).
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Skill Demonstration - The ability to perform a task and apply knowledge related to a standard or concept.
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Practice - Repeated performance or preparation (i.e. homework) in order to acquire proficiency.
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Second Chance Assessments
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For major assessments as defined in the course syllabus, at least one new opportunity to demonstrate proficiency shall be provided to any student who scores below an 80% and completes corrective action determined by collaborative team. In this case, the highest grade that can be earned is an 80%.
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Collaborative teams can choose to provide students an opportunity to demonstrate increased proficiency if they have scored at or above 80%. In this case, the highest grade shall be recorded in the grade book up to the threshold allowed for the second chance.
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Second chance assessments must be completed within a timely manner as defined in the syllabus. Second chance assessments may be in an alternate format.
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Students will need to demonstrate that they have done the necessary preparation to be offered the opportunity on a second chance assessment. Preparation and readiness will be defined by the collaborative team.
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Targeted intervention will be defined by individual teachers to determine preparation and readiness of their student.
Lake Braddock adheres to all FCPS Grading and Reporting Policies and Regulations. Click here to to access the FCPS Grading and Reporting Policies and Regulations webpage.
Grading Scale
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A (93-100) = 3.8 - 4.0 |
C+ (77-79) = 2.1 - 2.3 |
F (below 64) = 0.0 – 0.7 |
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A- (90-92) = 3.4 - 3.7 |
C (73-76) = 1.8 - 2.0 |
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B+ (87-89) = 3.1 - 3.3 |
C- (70-72) = 1.4 - 1.7 |
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B (83-86) = 2.8 - 3.0 |
D+ (67-69) = 1.1 - 1.3 |
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B- (80-82) = 2.4 - 2.7 |
D (64-66) = 0.8 - 1.0 |
Academic Integrity/Honor Code
Lake Braddock’s goal is to promote a community of trust that will enhance student achievement. Students who accept responsibility for their own academic integrity learn and can take pride in genuine achievement. This Honor Code represents expectations of student behavior that are consistent with fully preparing future citizens in a democratic society.
The Honor Pledge
“On my honor, I pledge that I have neither given nor received unauthorized assistance on this assignment or test.”
Click here for additional Information on the Lake Braddock Honor Code.
Work Over Snow Days and Holiday Breaks
With the holidays and winter weather approaching, we want to remind you all of the following Homework/Work Guidelines for school closures on Snow Dates.
Snow Dates Work Guideline
No work will be assigned, expected or due for students, faculty and staff.
Holiday Breaks Homework Guidelines
Lake Braddock respects the need for families to have time together over the holidays and extended breaks. It is our hope that everyone gets a well-deserved break from the rigors and demands of school. Thank you, Teachers, for following these guidelines:
- Students should not be assigned to complete work over school breaks.
- Schedule no major assessments immediately upon return from break (at least first 2 class meetings).
- For classes having long term assignments, refrain from scheduling due dates immediately after the holiday (at least first two class meetings).
Parent Communication
Weekly Progress Reports will be generated through SIS. All parents that have registered SIS Parent Accounts, and have students enrolled in either middle or high school will receive these emails. These reports will include students overall grades in each class. Teachers will email a detailed progress report at interim and end of quarter.
Attendance
All teachers follow Fairfax County Public Schools regulations for attendance.
FCPS 24‐7 Learning
FCPS 24‐7 Learning (Blackboard) will be used as a resource for contact between school and home, so families can be informed of what is going on in school. Students’ logins are their student ID numbers. For students new to FCPS, their original passwords are also their student ID numbers. Parents can create their own FCPS 24-7 Learning (Blackboard) account by requesting a SIS ParentVue activation code. This can be done at the SIS Parent Account Registration webpage.
2019 Back to School Night Dates
Middle School – Thursday, September 5, 2019 at 6:30 pm
High School – Thursday, September 19, 2019 at 6:30 pm
Final Exam
Collaborative Teams will determine if a graded final exam or culminating activity will be given during the designated final exam period. Final exam or culminating activities can comprise no more than 20% of the student’s final grade for the year.
Permission to Take a Final Exam Early
Final exams may be administered early, with permission from the Director of Student Services/Subject Administrator.