Policies Differ Across the Region

Area school system policies on giving credit for effort in high school:

THE DISTRICT

No written policy.

MARYLAND

· Charles: No written policy.

· Frederick: Grades should reflect "product quality, independent application of knowledge, skills and processes, progress, participation, announced deadlines."

· Howard: Grades reflect a student's attainment of specific learning objectives and can include participation and "daily work habits in the classroom -- determined by student accuracy, independence and dependability, use of time, attentiveness, and promptness in submitting work."

· Montgomery: Major proposed policy insists that grading emphasize achievement. New recommendation bars any more than 10 percent credit on final grade for homework checked only for completion.

· Prince George's: No written policy.

VIRGINIA

· Alexandria: "Grades shall reflect a student's progress in meeting the objectives of a course/curriculum through a variety of evaluative measures, such as: text assignments (both oral and written), class participation, special assignments, research, activities of various kinds/types, special contributions, tests/quizzes, homework, portfolios and student products."

· Arlington: Grades reflect student achievement and not student behavior. "Teachers will also indicate an effort grade for reporting purposes: O--Outstanding, S--Satisfactory, U--Unsatisfactory."

· Fairfax: "Grades measure academic performance and are used as a means of reporting achievement relative to POS [program of studies], benchmarks and indicators. They do not measure potential or social performance."

· Falls Church: No written policy.

· Fredericksburg: No written policy.

· Loudoun: "Grades may reflect the relative quality of the work, readiness for future instruction, level of skill mastery, effort and participation, and completion of class work and homework."

· Prince William: "The grading process should include evaluation of homework, classwork, and class participation." The school system also gives separate effort and conduct grades.

· Spotsylvania: No written policy.

· Stafford : No written policy.