Grade Appeals

I.    Purpose: To provide guidance in the implementation of the grade appeals process
 
II.   Definitions:
 
A.   Appeal: process initiated by a parent/guardian, or student over 18 years old, within 10 school days after the release of a quarter or final report card using the Grade Appeal Form to request a grade change. Evidence supporting the appeal must be included.
 
B.   Teacher of Record: The teacher of record for a course in question during the specified time period as assigned in the electronic student information system (PowerSchool).
 
C.   Evidence: Information including but not limited to student work, PowerSchool reports, emails, and other forms of communication and written statements that are provided to or by the head of the department, parent, student, and/or teacher of record to assist in reviewing the necessity for a grade change.
 
D.   Grade Appeal Committee: Group of designated individuals whose responsibility it is to review appeals and make a recommendation of its approval or denial. Members include:
      1. Department Principal
      2. Director of the program in question
      3. Director of Compliance Officer
      4. Chief Diversity Officer
      5. School Psychologist
Note: The campus Chief Educational Programs Officer has the final authority to accept or deny the proposal.
 
E.   Grade Appeal Form: Document on which a grade change may be requested within five days of the release of the report card.
 
F.   Grade Appeal Meeting: Process utilized by the Grade Appeal Committee to determine the outcome of a dispute related to assigned grades.
 
G.   Grade Change: Changes in PowerSchool to an existing quarter and/or final grade after the close of grading per the approval process.
 
H.   PowerSchool: the Student Information System used at MSD to manage student data, including grades, attendance, and schedules.
 
III.  Procedures:
 
A.   General
      1. Report card quarter or final grades may be appealed for students in grades K-12. Progress report grades and grades for transfer students are not eligible for the grades appeals process.
      2. The parent/guardian, or student over the age of 18, must initiate grade appeals process within 10 school days of the release of report cards, with the exception of the 4th quarter appeals as outlined in paragraph D of this section.
      3. All appeals must be completed on the Grade Appeal Form and include evidence which is not limited to:
        1. Written communication
        2. Student work
        3. PowerSchool Reports
        4. Supports documented in student's Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
B.   Grounds for Appeal
      1. Grade appeals may only be initiated for the following reasons. In each case, proper evidence must be provided and attached to the Grade Appeal Form.
        1. Error in grade entry or calculation in the teacher gradebook or schedule of courses
        2. Lawful absences as defined in COMAR and the Attendance Policy
        3. Failure to provide allowable accommodations, supplemental aid, or services in accordance with a student's IEP.
        4. Extenuating circumstances (i.e. family or personal hardship, etc.)
C.   Process of Appeal
      1. The parent/guardian or student over the age of 18 communicates with the teacher of record who issued the grade. The teacher reviews the grading policy with the parent/guardian and/or student and makes sure the grade was correctly calculated. If no satisfactory resolution is reached, the parent/guardian and/or student may proceed to step two.
        • Note: The student will not participate in extracurricular activities until the appeal has been investigated and a decision has been made.
      2. The parent/guardian or student over the age of 18 must submit a Grade Appeal Form to MSD administration (the Chief Educational Programs Officer's Office) identifying the reason for appeal with supporting evidence.
        • Note: MSD will respond to the parent/guardian and/or student's request within 10 business days of receipt of the appeal.
      3. The department principal will meet with the teacher of record to obtain a short written explanation of the assigned grade along with any evidence. This information will be shared with the Grade Appeals Committee.
      4. The Grade Appeals Committee will convene to weigh the evidence provided by all parties as well as evidence collected during the process of investigation. The committee will provide a recommendation to the campus Chief Educational Programs Officer.
        • Note: Appeals that lack evidence supporting the concern will be recommended for a denial.
      5. The campus Chief Educational Programs Officer will review the appeal and the Grade Appeals Committee recommendation and render a final decision.
      6. The Chief Educational Programs Officer/designee will follow up with the parent/guardian or student over the age of 18 to share the final decision and next steps. All submitted evidence and the Grade Appeal Form will be filed in the student's record.
D.   Fourth Quarter Grade Appeals
      1. Fourth quarter grade appeals must be submitted by the fifth school day of the next (new) school year.
      2. A parent/guardian or student over the age of 18 may present the Grade Appeal Form and supporting documentation for the previous school year at any time between the first and the fifth school day of the new school year.
        • Note: All grade appeals will be reviewed after the start of the new school year in order to ensure that all policies and procedures are followed. MSD will respond to the parent/guardian and/or student's request within 10 business days of receipt of the appeal.
IV.   Monitoring and Compliance:
 
A.   In an effort to ensure that the grade change request and appeals process is implemented, the following monitoring tools and processes will be utilized annually.
      1. The department principal/designee will facilitate training for all school staff with grading responsibilities. PowerSchool and the grade appeals process by September 30th of each school year. A record containing staff signatures to signify completion of this task will be sent to the Director of Compliance and kept on file for four years.
V.    Attachments
VI.   Legal Reference
 
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE HISTORY
  • Reviewed: March 2022
  • Adopted: September 2022
  • Revised: N/A