Overview of Wyoming Grading Policy
Wyoming’s grading policy is designed to provide a clear and consistent framework for evaluating student performance across the state. The policy aims to ensure fairness and transparency, helping students, parents, and educators understand the grading standards and expectations. Wyoming utilizes a traditional grade scale, a mastery scale, and standards-based grading to comprehensively assess student learning and achievements.
Grade Scale
Wyoming follows a traditional letter grade scale for most of its assessments. Here’s a quick look at the grading chart:
| Grade | Percentage Range | Description |
|---|---|---|
| A | 90-100% | Excellent |
| B | 80-89% | Good |
| C | 70-79% | Satisfactory |
| D | 60-69% | Needs Improvement |
| F | 0-59% | Failing |
Mastery Scale
In addition to the traditional grade scale, Wyoming also uses a mastery scale to measure students’ proficiency in specific subjects or skills. Here’s the mastery scale chart:
| Level | Description |
|---|---|
| Mastery | Student consistently demonstrates a thorough understanding and application of the standard. |
| Proficient | Student demonstrates adequate understanding and application of the standard. |
| Basic | Student shows partial understanding and application of the standard. |
| Below Basic | Student demonstrates minimal understanding and application of the standard. |
Standards-Based Grading
Wyoming’s standards-based grading (SBG) assesses students based on their mastery of specific learning standards. Here’s how it works:
| Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| 4 | Exceeds Standards: The student demonstrates advanced understanding and exceeds grade-level expectations. |
| 3 | Meets Standards: The student meets grade-level expectations with proficiency. |
| 2 | Approaching Standards: The student is approaching proficiency but has not yet met grade-level expectations. |
| 1 | Below Standards: The student does not meet grade-level expectations and requires additional support. |
FAQs
1. What is the purpose of Wyoming’s grading policy?
Wyoming’s grading policy aims to provide a consistent and fair evaluation of student performance, ensuring clarity and transparency for students, parents, and educators.
2. How does the mastery scale differ from the traditional grade scale?
The mastery scale focuses on students’ proficiency in specific standards, while the traditional grade scale uses letter grades to represent overall performance.
3. What does a grade of “C” signify in Wyoming’s traditional grade scale?
A grade of “C” signifies satisfactory performance, with a percentage range of 70-79%.
4. How is standards-based grading implemented in Wyoming?
Standards-based grading assesses students based on their mastery of specific learning standards, with grades ranging from 1 (Below Standards) to 4 (Exceeds Standards).
5. What resources are available for parents to understand Wyoming’s grading policy?
Parents can refer to the Wyoming Department of Education website and their local school district’s resources for detailed information on grading policies.
6. Can students retake assessments to improve their grades?
Policies on retaking assessments may vary by school district. It’s best to check with the specific school for their retake policies.
7. How does Wyoming’s grading policy support students with special needs?
Wyoming’s grading policy includes accommodations and modifications to support students with special needs, ensuring equitable assessment opportunities.
8. What is considered a passing grade in Wyoming?
A passing grade is typically any grade above an “F,” meaning 60% or higher in the traditional grade scale.
9. How are parents informed about their child’s progress?
Parents are informed through regular report cards, parent-teacher conferences, and online grading portals.
10. Are there any initiatives to improve the grading system in Wyoming?
Wyoming continuously reviews and updates its grading policies to ensure they meet the educational needs of students and align with best practices.
Resources
- Wyoming Department of Education: Provides comprehensive information on statewide educational policies, including grading standards.
- Local School District Websites: Each district’s website offers specific details about their grading policies and procedures.
- Parent-Teacher Associations (PTA): PTAs often provide resources and support for understanding and navigating grading policies.
- Wyoming State Board of Education: Offers insights into statewide educational strategies and policies.
Grading Policy for Schools in Wyoming