The faculty at FASSV routinely use a number of measures and indicators to chart each student’s progress.  These can include informal evaluation, oral and written work in class, and homework.  In addition, students are given written tests as an integral part of the American curriculum.
In recent years, all students in fifth grade have received letter grades for these tests in English in certain fields. Starting in the fall of 2007 FASSV will extend its policy of giving of letter grades to include students in third and fourth grades.

In which grades will students receive letter grades?
Letter grades will be given for work in the American curriculum in third, fourth and fifth grades.

Are letter grades the most important indicator of a child’s progress?
Letter grades are by no means the most important, nor the only measure of a student’s progress.  Teachers evaluate a student’s academic development using many tools and different criteria.

Will letter grades be included in the report card?
No they will not.

In which subject areas will letter grades be used?
They will be used in the following areas for which tests are included in the curriculum materials: phonics, mathematics, vocabulary development, spelling, and grammar. In addition, students will undertake at least one social studies report that will be given a letter grade.

How are grades calculated?
Grades are calculated scientifically.  Each piece of work is given a percentage according to the number of correct answers, and then the percentage is translated into a letter grade according to a scale.

Which grades are included in the scheme?
Grades are from A+ (100%) to F (59% or less.)  A student who receives an F will have the chance to improve this grade by reviewing the material being tested and taking a similar test when s/he is ready.