MANCHESTER – School District officials are looking at a plan to add marking periods to the high school’s marking period during the 2021-22 school year.
School officials proposed to add marking periods for Manchester Township High School as it would allow grades and progress reports to be issued more often, in an effort to identify and support struggling students earlier in the semester.
With the block schedule in place at the high school, currently a student is halfway through the class before receiving a grade.
Director of Student and Administrative Services Alex George explained the proposed change in a presentation at a recent Board of Education meeting. “The addition of a third marking period gives students two marking periods to overcome a poor start, bring their grade up, and be successful in the class.”
“It involves parents earlier in the academic calendar as well,” said George. Semester block courses currently have two marking periods, at 45 and 90 days.
George noted this would be increased to three marking periods at 30, 60 and 90 days under the new plan, with progress reports issued at 30 and 60 days. Full year A/B courses would get progress reports at 30, 90, and 150 days.
Progress reports are issued for students with a grade below a C. New grading weights would have each of the three marking periods worth 30%, with the final exam worth 10%. In an effort to keep students motivated for all three marking periods, students must take the final (if not exempt) in order to pass the class.
A final exam exemption policy for students in grades 9-12 would provide academic rewards for students excelling in their classes. Students however would need to have an A average, with no marking period being lower than an 85 in order to earn an exemption in the class. Freshman can earn the right to be exempt from one core class and one elective.
Sophomores can be exempt from two core classes and one elective. Juniors can be exempt from two core classes and two electives. Seniors have historically had exemptions for all qualifying classes and would continue to do so.
Board members will vote on the plan during a meeting later this month.
