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Grading & Report Cards

HISD Grading Policy – What Parents Need to Know

At HISD, grades are an important way to measure student progress, mastery of skills, and overall achievement. Here is how grading works for your child:

Grades by Subject

  • Students receive numeric grades (0–100) in: Reading, Math, Science, Social Studies, Language Arts, and ESL (if applicable).

  • Students receive letter grades (A–F) in: Fine Arts, Computers, Handwriting, Physical Education, and Health.

How Often Students Are Graded

  • Pre-K & Kindergarten: Teachers record at least two observations per week in each subject area.

  • 1st–5th Grade: Students receive at least two grades per week in Reading, Math, Language Arts, and Science, and at least one grade per week in Social Studies and ESL.

How Grades Are Calculated

  • Formative Assessments (60%) – daily work, journals, exit tickets, and practice activities.

  • Summative Assessments (30%) – unit tests, projects, and major assignments.

  • Homework/Participation (10%) – practice completed at home or participation in class.

Additional Notes

  • Spelling tests count as daily grades only and cannot make up more than 25% of the Language Arts grade for a grading period.

  • Handwriting, Health/Safety, and Conduct are each graded once per grading cycle.

  • Conduct and work habits are graded separately from academics.

Special Education
Parents of students receiving Special Education services will receive regular updates through progress reports, report cards, and conferences. Report cards for students receiving classroom modifications may include a modification checklist.

District Policy Reminders

  • Grades must reflect the student’s actual mastery of the work.

  • Teachers are not required to give a minimum grade; grades reflect the quality of work submitted.

  • Students have the opportunity to make up or redo assignments/tests if they received a failing grade (below 70).