Grading at RBCS

Understanding Grading at RBCS

Helping Families Understand Our Approach to Measuring Student Learning

At Russell Byers Charter School, grades are designed to give families, students, and teachers clear, meaningful information about what students know and can do in relation to grade-level standards.

What has changed?

RBCS now uses pre-populated gradebooks. Key assignments and assessments are identified in advance across each grade level and content area.

This approach strengthens grading in two important ways:

Teachers will continue to assign classwork, homework, practice, projects, and other learning activities. Gradebooks prioritize the assignments that provide the clearest evidence of progress toward grade-level expectations.

Why might my child’s grades look different?

We recognize that this change may feel different for some families. A student may complete assignments, follow directions, participate, and work hard while still developing the grade-level skills being taught.

• Effort and habits still matter. Responsibility, participation, and positive learning habits remain important at RBCS, and we want to recognize and encourage them.

• Academic grades communicate understanding. A grade should show a student’s current level of academic understanding—not hide areas where additional support is needed.

• Hard work and support can go together. A student can be doing everything we ask while still needing more support to reach a grade-level standard.

Why is this important?

Accurate grades help teachers and families provide better support by making it easier to identify:

• Mastery — What has the student learned?

• Gaps — Where is more learning needed?

• Support — What help will move learning forward?

• Progress — Is the support working?

A lower grade is not a statement about a child’s potential, effort, or character. It is information about where the student is in their learning right now, and grades can change as learning grows.

Our commitment to families

We know it can be difficult to see a grade that is lower than in the past. Our goal is not to make it harder for students to earn good grades; it is to make grades more meaningful, accurate, and useful. We are committed to partnering with families to understand each child’s strengths, identify needed support, and help every student progress toward grade-level expectations.