Assign final averages as follows:

Assign points to each grading period (GP) grade, the final exam grade, and the appropriate district assessment instrument as follows:

Final grade will be determined based on the following formulas:

General:

When there is not a state End of Course Exam (EOC) the district EOC will count as 20% of the year long, stand- alone half credit, or second semester final grade (of a two semester course).

NOTE: MJ LA 1, 2 & 3, MJ Math 1 & 2, Pre-Algebra and MJ Comp SC 3 (standard and advanced), Intensive Reading and Intensive Math use state assessments for CAST and do not have a district EOC. Final grades will be calculated based on quarter grades.

NOTE: EOC is defined as District End of Course Exam, Post-CAST Assessment, or teacher final (when EOC or Post- CAST assessments do not currently exist).

1) Each teacher arrives at a grading period grade based upon examinations as well as written papers, class participation and other academic performance criteria and must include the student’s performance or nonperformance at his or her grade level.

2) For courses without a district EOC or state EOC, a mandatory final exam or project shall be given to all students and shall count as 20% of their final grade.

3) For courses with a State End of Course Exam (EOC) grades will be calculated based on state designated formulas.

4) For the purpose of grading period grade, students transferring from school to school shall have the withdrawal grades from the previous school averaged with grades by the receiving school.

5) Students who have transferred into Duval County Public Schools and have a missing quarter grade may have the grades of their first grading period within this district counted twice for the purposes of determining the final grade averages and the ranking of seniors. A student enrolled in Duval County Public Schools, but who has not been enrolled in the sending or receiving school the minimum fifteen (15) days in a traditional or eight (8) days on a semesterized (four-by-four) or A/B class during a grading period, may be assigned an independent study to complete the course work or the principal may utilize appropriate achievement data from the subject level tests to determine course credit.

6) Standard mathematical procedures for rounding off shall be used in computing final grade averages. When computing grade point averages for the final course averages, divide to the hundredth’s place (two digits to the right of the decimal point). If the hundredth’s digit is 5 or greater, “round up” to the 10th’s place (1st place behind the decimal). If the hundredth’s digit is less than 5, then leave the 10th’s digit as is.

NOTE: Middle school students taking high school Algebra, Geometry or Biology are required to take the state End of Course Exam (EOC) which will count as 30% of their final grade.

Every student should have the opportunity to participate in quality physical education. The Society of Health and Physical Education (SHAPE) America defines physical education as “the development and maintenance of skills related to strength, agility, flexibility, movement, and stamina; the development of knowledge and skills regarding teamwork and fair play; the development of knowledge and skills regarding nutrition and physical fitness as part of a healthy lifestyle; and the development of positive attitudes regarding sound nutrition and physical activity as a component of well-being.” Program outcomes will include: a) instruction in a variety of motor skills that are designed to enhance the physical, mental, and social/emotional development of every student; b) fitness education and assessment to help students understand, improve and/or maintain their physical well-being; c) the development of cognitive concepts about motor skill and fitness; d) opportunities to improve their emerging social and cooperative skills and gain a multi-cultural perspective; and e) the promotion of regular amounts of appropriate physical activity now and throughout life.

1) All middle school physical education courses will be taught by certified physical education teachers.

2) The equivalent of one class period per day of physical education for one semester of each year is required for students enrolled in grades 6-8 (1003.455(3) F.S.).

3) One-on-one counseling concerning the benefits of physical education will be made available for students in the school’s counseling office.

4) All middle school students will participate in physical education activities to meet state standards and program outcomes. Physical education staff will work cooperatively with parents, physicians, school counselors, and administrators to design/adapt physical activities to meet the needs of all students.

5) Physical therapy is a related service and therefore is not considered physical education.

6) State Waivers: The only approved waivers from the State of Florida for the yearly scheduled middle school physical education are the following:

a) Students who are required to enroll in a remedial course;

b) Students who are participating in physical activities outside the school day which are equal to or in excess of the mandated requirement; or

c) Students who wish to enroll in another course which

1) is required for credit recovery to insure promotion to the next grade level,

2) is required for acceptance to a high school magnet program, or

3) is providing broadened academic options or increased depth of study for a particular course.

Parents/Guardians who wish to waive the student from physical education to participate in a physical activity outside the school or to enroll in another course must request, in writing to the middle school principal, for permission for this specific state-approved waiver through collaboration with the district’s Health Education and Physical Education Department.

NOTE: Receiving a waiver for physical education does NOT excuse a student from participating in the state-mandated health course.

1) The parents/guardian of the student must submit a written request to the current school principal for permission to attend a summer school session outside Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) for promotional credit. This request shall be submitted to the student's current school principal prior to the beginning of the summer session.

2) Approval must be granted by the current school principal/designee prior to enrollment for DCPS credit to be awarded. For permission to be granted for attendance at a private school or out-of-county school’s summer session for promotion, to earn credit, and/or to improve GPA, the school’s summer program must consist of 120 instructional hours or more for a maximum of one credit (or two one-half credits) earned. Tutoring does not qualify as summer school, nor does it meet the teacher judgment certification requirement for promotion or earning of course credit.

3) In order for the student to be awarded credit, the parent shall present to the school principal/designee who granted approval a transcript verifying academic progress and attendance, including any appropriate evaluation data from the summer school prior to the opening of the new school year.

4) When a student attends an accredited private school* and an out-of-county public school and submits an official transcript, validation of course/grades is not necessary. The transfer grade is accepted at face value.

5) When a student does not attend an accredited private school and/or does not submit an official transcript, the course grade/credit shall be validated through successful (“C”/2.0 GPA) performance during the first forty-five days of the new school year (F.S. § 1003.25(3)), F.S.; 6A-109941 F.A.C.). If the student achieves the 2.0 GPA during the first 45 days of enrollment, further validation procedures are not necessary. The transferred summer grade will be accepted at face value.

6) Alternative validation procedures are to be used when the student HAS NOT made satisfactory progress at the end of the first 45 days of enrollment. Alternative validation procedures include successfully passing teacher-made exams, and/or minimum grade equivalent score on a district approved reading assessments and/or district approved math assessment, and/or district benchmark assessment, if applicable, and/or a passing score of 60% or higher on the appropriate end-of-course exam. The principal and/or designated instructional staff may utilize the data received from the summer school and the testing data to make the final determination of grade placement and/or course grade/credit.

* A directory of private schools with their accreditation is provided on the Florida Department of Education web site at School Choice Announcements

Students attending a DCPS summer school program for the purpose of promotion may enroll in one or two full credit course(s) through the Duval Virtual Instructional Academy. Students must complete one course before being enrolled in a second course.