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2019-2020 End-of-Year Grades Update
Following guidance from the Arkansas Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) for providing students with 4th quarter grades, Fort Smith Public Schools has developed the following information regarding 2019-2020 end-of-year grades:
Elementary Grading (K-6)
Report Cards including 4th quarter grades will be mailed to every elementary student at the end of the school year. 3rd Quarter grades will be used for 4th quarter, unless the work submitted by students in the 4th quarter raises that grade. If 4th quarter work raises the 3rd quarter grade, the new higher grade will be used for the 4th quarter.
Assignments that demonstrate mastery will count toward an improvement in the grade. There will be no penalty for assignments that aren’t submitted.
Kindergarten: The Kindergarten Standards-Based Report card will use the 3rd quarter grades for the 4th quarter and an N/A for any standard that was not taught before the end of the 3rd quarter.
Students will not receive new assignments that will impact their grades after May 22. However, because the final day of school is Thursday, May 28, students will be expected to complete existing and final assignments through the end of the school year. Teachers will be actively engaging students during the final week of school (May 26-28).
Secondary Grading (7-12)
Every secondary student can access their second semester grades using the Home Access Center (HAC) at the end of the school year. The highest grade during the time frame of 3rd to 4th quarter will be used for the second semester grade, unless the work submitted by students in the 4th quarter raises that grade. If 4th quarter work raises the semester grade, the new higher grade will be used for the second semester grade.
Assignments that demonstrate mastery will count toward an improvement in the grade. There will be no penalty for assignments that are not submitted.
Concurrent Credit:
If a concurrent credit student chooses “P” (Pass) for concurrent classes, the student will receive credit for the class but it will not count in the GPA calculation. If a concurrent credit student chooses “W” (Withdraw) for concurrent classes, the student will not receive credit for the class and it will not count in the GPA calculation.
Students will not receive new assignments that will impact their grades after May 22. However, because the final day of school is Thursday, May 28, students will be expected to complete existing and final assignments through the end of the school year. Teachers will be actively engaging students during the final week of school (May 26-28).
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the final week of school?
The final week of school is Tuesday, May 26 through Thursday, May 28. Monday, May 25 is Memorial Day and school is not in session.
When is the final student day on the FSPS Calendar?
The Final Student Day on the FSPS 2019-2020 Calendar is Thursday, May 28.
When is the final day of AMI?
AMI work through Arkansas PBS will end on Friday, May 22. However, Fort Smith Public Schools students will continue schoolwork through the final student day of the year (Thursday, May 28).
Will students receive new assignments past May 22?
AMI work and assignments that will impact final grades will end on May 22. New assignments that will not impact grades may be given through the final week of the school year (May 26-28).
What work will my student be doing after AMI has ended on May 22?
Students will be expected to complete existing and final assignments through the end of the school year. Teachers will be actively engaging students during the final week of school (May 26-28).
How can my student raise their 4th quarter grade or second semester grade?
4th quarter assignments that demonstrate mastery will count toward an improvement in the grade. If 4th quarter work raises the 3rd quarter grade, the new higher grade will be used for the 4th quarter in the elementary schools and second semester grades in the secondary schools.
My student missed one or more AMI assignments. Do they need to make it up?
There will be no penalty for assignments that are not submitted. However, students may submit 4th quarter work to raise their 4th quarter grade or second semester grade.
Where can I find AMI work for my student to submit?
Please visit the AMI for FSPS page on the FSPS Website to access AMI assignments, or talk with your student’s teacher about completing AMI work before grades are finalized.
Can a student fail a course?
Yes, it is possible for a student to fail a course during the 2019-2020 calendar year.
- Elementary students who have not mastered learning standards throughout the 2019-2020 school year may fail coursework and be at risk for retention in 2020-2021. Circumstances will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
- Secondary students who were failing a course at the end of the 3rd quarter are at risk for failing a course if a student has not participated in ongoing classwork since the COVID-19 school closure. Circumstances will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Can a student be retained?
Yes, it is possible that a student may be retained. This would be managed on a case-by-case basis and would include parent consultation in the decision-making process.
- For elementary students, a student may be retained if there is a year-long pattern in which learning standards have not been mastered.
- Secondary students who are not mastering coursework in language arts, social studies, math and science may be retained but will be enrolled in subsequent classes that support the mastery of core skills.
Can secondary students take a semester test to improve a final grade?
Students may choose to take semester tests to improve a final grade.
For questions about end-of-year grades, please contact your student's school principal.