The purpose of ELA instruction is to build real-world literacy skills, most simply defined as the ability to make meaning of a variety of texts (written, oral, and visual), and to communicate meaning to others through written, oral, and visual means. An additional purpose not defined in the TEKS, but an essential element of best practice in the teaching of ELA, is to create life-long readers and writers. Reading will be reported as a numerical average based on a minimum of 12 grades.
There should be a minimum of 12 grades (3 major grades and 9 daily grades) per nine weeks grading period in Reading and English/Language Arts (ELA). Grades for each grading period must reflect the students mastery of the District curriculum objectives, which are aligned with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). Major Grades will count as 50 percent of the students grading period average. Daily Grades will count as 50 percent of the students grading period average.
English/Language Arts (ELA) English/Language Arts will be reported as a numerical average based on a minimum of 12 grades and the recommended number of grades in each category for daily grades is as follows:
Writing Process 5 grades Grammar and punctuation 4 grades Spelling 1 grade* Listening/speaking 1 grade Handwriting (2 nd and 3 rd grade only) 1 grade *All spelling grades taken during a 9 week grading period will be averaged. One spelling grade will be entered into Skyward.
Reading Reading will be reported as a numerical average based on a minimum of 12 grades and the recommended number of grades in each category for daily grades is as follows:
Comprehension 5 grades Genre analysis 4 grades Vocabulary 3 grades* *All vocabulary grades taken during a 3 week period will be averaged. One vocabulary grade will be entered into Skyward for each 3 week period of the 9 week grading period - totaling 3 vocabulary grades.
MAJOR GRADES Assessments of complex assignments typically requiring more than one day to complete are called major grades. A minimum of three grades recorded should be major grades. The following are examples of major grades: chapter or unit tests, post assessments, projects, research papers, final copies in writing.
DAILY GRADES Assessments of assignments typically requiring only one day to complete are called daily grades. A minimum of 9 grades recorded should be daily grades. The following are examples of daily grades: guided or independent practice, quizzes, activities, participation, teacher observation, small group participation, labs, products produced during work stations, and oral presentations.
Reteaching Reteaching will occur when students make below a 75% on a major grade assessment.
Retesting Retesting will be offered to students who make below a 75% on an assessment after reteaching has occurred. The highest grade earned by the student (no higher than a 75) will be recorded after the retest.