Grading Systems at Akins Early College High School

Akins Early College High School follows a campus policy called Standards-Based Grading for all classes except UT Onramps, ACC Dual Credit, and College Board Advanced Placement courses. This is a researched concept that allows students to learn at their own pace and demonstrate knowledge of the content they are learning at multiple points. You will not be graded on a 0 -100% scale as you have been in the past. Instead, you will have to switch your thinking to more of a growth mindset. Think of a target.

When you throw an arrow at a target, you can hit it in different spots. Your ultimate goal is the bullseye, however the first time you throw the dart, maybe you land on the outside of the target (INS). The next time you throw the dart maybe you land closer to the center (AP). Finally, on your third throw, you hit the bullseye (MST). That is how your assignments will be graded.

For the 2026-2027 school year, the gradebook will be divided into two categories: 40% for Formative Assessments (daily, quick checks for understanding) and 60% for Summative Assessments (larger exams and culminating projects).

MST (MASTERY) -This means the student has mastered the concept. The student understands every aspect of it, and always gets the information right. The student is also able to explain the concept to somebody else. In other words, “Ask me anything, I will get it right.” This translates to 100% in the gradebook.
PRF (PROFICIENT) - This means the student is at a proficient level of understanding of the concept. The student understands the concept in its entirety and can almost always get the correct answer when asked a question about the concept. In other words, “I usually get it, but sometimes I might make a little error.” This translates to a 90% in the gradebook.
SAT (SATISFACTORY) - This means the student demonstrates a satisfactory level of understanding of a concept. The student understands the concept pretty well but is still missing some key points. In other words, “I get it mostly, I just need more practice.”This translates to an 80% in the gradebook.
AP (APPROACHING) - This means the student is approaching the understanding of the concept and is demonstrating a little more than a basic understanding of the concept he/she is learning about. In other words, “I kind of get it, a little bit.” This translates to a 70% in the gradebook.
EM (EMERGING) - This means the student has demonstrated an emerging level of understanding of a concept. The student's work shows understanding is at a very basic introductory level. This translates to a 60% in the gradebook.
INS (INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE) - This means there is insufficient evidence to assess the student on a concept. This is the grade that will be given for a COMPLETED assignment that is turned in completely incorrect and shows little to no evidence of understanding of the concept, in other words, “I don’t get it.”. This translates to a 50% in the gradebook.
MIS (MISSING) - This means the student was not present when the assignment was given and the assignment has not been handed in as a result. It translates to 50% in the gradebook.

Students will have multiple opportunities to show mastery of a concept. For example, the first time a student is assessed on an assignment and achieves EM, you will see an EM in the gradebook that averages as 60%. A few days later after completing the homework and classwork for that concept, the student should retake the assignment to show growth meaning the student is assessed as proficient or higher. If the student is assessed higher than EM, the grade will then change in the gradebook.

This means if a student doesn't understand the assignment the first time, they may try again later and always have the opportunity to show mastery.

REVISION FOR STUDENTS:

Students who have given genuine effort on the first attempt to complete an assignment/assessment will be given the opportunity to revise it.

In order to revise an assignment/assessment, a student should request a revision opportunity with the teacher within one week of receiving the graded or marked assignment/assessment. This may be initiated by the student or by another teacher (i.e. Advisor.) The teacher will make arrangements with the student to revise a particular assignment/assessment with the understanding that revisions will not take precedence over planned daily activities. The type of redo will be up to the individual teacher but will be based on the original assignment/assessment.

All classes follow Standards Based Grading except: ACC Dual Credit classes, UT OnRamps Classes, and College Board Advanced Placement classes. These classes follow a more traditional grading system. See those instructors for further details.

UT OnRamps

1-100 based on UT professors grading system

Students receive two grades; one from the high school teacher of the course (weighted) and one from the professor at UT who is also grading their work. The high school grade is recorded on the high school transcript. The student has the opportunity to accept or decline the UT college grade. If they accept it, it becomes part of their college transcript. If they decline it, it is as if they were never enrolled at UT, but they still get the weighted high school grade on the high school transcript.

ACC Dual Credit Course

Students receive a letter grade from ACC that corresponds to a weighted number grade (+ 10 points) on their high school transcript. How the letter corresponds to the grade is found here: https://www.austinisd.org/ssig/grades-classifications. The grade earned at ACC becomes part of the student's college transcript.

Numerical Grade Request Form (for Dual Credit / ACC / OnRamps Courses ONLY)