GradeSpeed

[Grading Policy Changes] [Training]

Step-Sets and How-To documents from AISD Student Systems.

GradeSpeed is the AISD electronic gradebook. GradeSpeed has many positive elements that will make your job easier and more efficient. Some of the features are:

• GradeSpeed is web-based so you will be able to access your gradebook from any computer, even from home.
• Easy access - No need to create or navigate to a gradebook
• Spell check available
• Enter these in a single program:
  • Attendance
  • Grades
  • Personal Development marks (Elementary)
  • Comments (Elementary)
  • Text may be entered in English or Spanish
  • Easy end of term processes - grades sent to SASI with one click
  • Facilitates on-line communication with parents
  • Combine stacked classes into a single spreadsheet
  • Weight assignments and drop certain grades
• Templates allow rubrics or tasks to be pre-set
• GradeSpeed allows near real time access for parents to grades and attendance.

All teachers are required to enter attendance electronically using GradeSpeed. Attendance totals are automatically entered on the electronic report card at the end of the reporting period. Elementary teachers also use GradeSpeed to enter Grading Comments and Personal Development marks for the electronic report card.

As of the 2008-2009 school year, all grade levels will use GradeSpeed to record student grades throughout the grading period. At the elementary level, report cards are sent home with students, at the secondary level, they will be mailed to parents.

Gradebook access for parents will be rolled out to all parents on January 6, 2009.

• Elementary Grades:
  • (Pre K - Grade 2) Attendance only
  • (Grades 3 - 5 (6)) Attendance & Grades
• Secondary Grades: Attendance & Grades

Grading Policy Changes:

AISD grading policy will have changes for the 2008-2009 school year. Please read the below guidelines carefully as these are changes to the existing EIA Academic Achievement Regulation. Policy changes are in bold..

• GRADING AND REPORTING SPECIFIC GUIDELINES FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS (page 3 of 12):

  For each elementary student, teachers will assess and document individual student progress a minimum of seven times during the grading period in language arts and mathematics. Progress for each student will be assessed and documented a minimum of three times per grading period in science/ health, social studies, and, if applicable, English as a second language. Teachers in grades 3 - 5(6) will update their electronic gradebook on a weekly basis.

• GRADING AND REPORTING: SPECIFIC GUIDELINES FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS (page 6 of 12)

  A minimum of seven grades per grading period (or one grade for each course taken each grading period) will be recorded for each student in secondary courses. For a student scheduled in a secondary course, the electronic gradebook must be updated weekly for a minimum of six grades per grading period per course.

Training

AISD is utilizing a "Train the Trainer" method. There will be training the first week of school at your campus. There will also be a "Gradebook Facilitator" located at your campus to assist with the initial rollout. Once you have completed the initial training, please call the AISD Help Desk for additional assistance at 414-8324 and ask to be transferred to Student System Support.

Online Tutorials

To preview features of the program, you may access online tutorials at this site:

http://video.gradespeed.net/

Note that these videos are the generic training videos provided by the vendor. They have not yet been customized for AISD.