Huskie Howler
August 12, 2024
Dear Huskie Community,
We are very excited to have teachers back in the building today preparing to greet students on Thursday morning. We can't wait to see the building full again.
Below is a shared message being sent to North and Central families regarding grading.
Dear Redhawk & Huskie students and families,
As we begin the new school year, we’d like to take this opportunity to highlight a few updates to the high school grading processes. The high school grading practices continue to focus on learning and attainment of course standards as well as development of the academic habits which support employability competencies and post secondary success. In addition, the changes implemented in the 2024-2025 school year bring Naperville North & Naperville Central in complete alignment in our grading practices.
NC/NN HS Grading Beliefs Fall 2024-2025
Changes made last school year aimed to address the need for timely completion of work and the importance of student engagement in practice activities throughout the learning process. In this school year, the most notable shift in practice listed in the updated practices is the shift in protocols surrounding reassessment. You will notice small changes in language, but significant impact on how students engage in the learning and assessment process.
Our aim in implementation of these reassessment processes is to shift the focus to learning and demonstration of proficiency for identified essential outcomes rather than on the accumulation of points. As indicated below, instructors can initiate the reassessment process when a student scores below 85% and one of the following scenarios applies:
A one-time performance on an assessment does not reflect the student’s level of proficiency leading up to the assessment.
Pattern of performance is not sufficient to support an acquisition of learning or proficiency of the standards. Additional supports (including but not limited to WIN/SOAR) have been utilized or additional intervention is needed.
Determination of Reassessment Eligibility
Not eligible for reassessment if:
- The assessment included multiple opportunities for feedback and improvement in the process for the final product OR formative assessments are aligned to standards, allow students to practice in the same assessment format, and gain feedback for improvement before the summative assessment
Eligible for reassessment if all three statements below are true. The final reassessment score will be capped at 85%:
- There was timely and consistent completion of practice work and formative assessments.
- A one-time performance on an assessment does not reflect the student’s level of proficiency leading up to the assessment.
- Summative assessment score is below 85%.
In the opening days of the school year, teachers will detail how these expectations for reassessment will specifically apply to the learning and assessment process in each course. We also hope you will attend our Open House event on Wednesday, September 11th where you will have the opportunity to meet your student’s teachers and ask any questions you might have specific to the class.
The shift in grading practices guides our high schools towards achieving the Profile of a Learner by emphasizing the importance of student ownership and responsibility in the learning process. We strive to ensure each student adopts a dynamic mindset, taking ownership of their learning developing an eagerness to evolve and we believe these practices align with that goal.
We look forward to the beginning of an outstanding school year for high school students in District 203.
Jackie Thornton, Principal Naperville Central High School and
Jay Wachtel, Principal Naperville North High School
Go Huskies!
Sincerely,
Jay Wachtel