Assessments/Grading Practices

The Iowa Core is a set of clear and challenging standards that all students should meet. Some classes, like Advanced Placement or DMACC courses, also have tough expectations. When everything – what is taught, how it's taught, and how it's tested – is connected, students do better. There's a guide for each grade (K-8) and one for high school. They give a quick look at what your child will learn, show examples of their work, and give ideas on how you can help at home.

View Iowa Academic Standards

We want students to show they understand a certain level of skill. Grades are given based on how well they meet specific standards and learning goals. Instead of comparing students to others, we look at how well they do on specific standards.

Grades should show how well a student understands the subject and meets the learning goals. Things like effort, participation, and attitude should not be part of grades but should be part of learning, with feedback to help improve.

WDMCS uses different ways to check what students are learning. For instance, a state test happens once a year and shows a quick look at how well students are doing. On the other hand, checking learning every day using specific tools gives feedback to students and parents right away.

In WDMCS, we use what we call "quality assessments" as a big part of teaching. They show proof of what students are learning, following specific goals. They help teachers, students, and parents see how much progress is made toward or above the learning goals.

To finish a course, students must show what they've learned. Because of the way grades are given and opportunities to earn credit, there are specific times for submitting work. If a student doesn't turn in important assignments related to key standards, they may get an "I" for incomplete and might not get credit for the course if they don't finish.

Cheating and copying are not allowed. If a student breaks the rules, there will be communication with parents/guardians, consequences, and a chance to learn the right way. The student will have to redo the assessment under supervision.

It's important for students to learn how to check their own progress and set goals. Students learn at different speeds, so they should have many chances to practice, rethink, show what they've learned, and see how they're doing. These chances should be a part of the learning that happens every day in class.

Students will have chances to learn more in or out of class, get extra help, and practice to get better. After practicing, there won't be a need for extra credit. To finish a course, students must show what they've learned.

Here are some important qualities we aim for:

• Communicator: Shares ideas and information respectfully and effectively in many ways.
• Collaborator: Works well with different teams to achieve a common goal.
• Critical Thinker: Looks at important information to solve difficult problems.
• Global Contributor: Uses skills in real situations, working with people from various cultures and backgrounds with respect.
• Innovator: Tries new things in a changing environment, learning from challenges.
• Continuous Learner: Listens to feedback and works hard to achieve goals.
• Prepared Learner: Shows readiness for learning by being responsible and honest.

Here are important skills we focus on:

1. Continuous Learning: Listens to advice and tries to achieve goals.
2. Collaboration: Works well in teams to finish tasks.
3. Communication: Shares ideas and information in a respectful and effective way using different methods.
4. Critical Thinking: Looks at important information to solve hard problems.
5. Professionalism: Shows readiness to learn by being responsible and honest.