Update to Elementary Grading for Grades 4-6
Starting in the 2025-2026 school year, all IUSD elementary schools will use the same grading system for grades 4-6 that is already used for Transitional Kindergarten through 3rd grade. This change will help standardize the grading system for all students in TK-6th grade across the District.
If you have questions after reading this guide, please talk to your child's teacher or principal. You can find school contact information by visiting:
How We Communicate Your Child’s Learning Progress
Teachers help your child understand their learning process through three questions:
- Where am I going? (What am I supposed to learn?)
- Where am I now? (How am I doing so far?)
- How can I improve? (What can I do to get better?)
It is perfectly normal for a student to be at a beginning or developing level when a skill is new!
Gradebook and Report Cards
Your child’s teacher will use several modes of communication to let you know how your child is doing in school. These include in-person or electronic communication, feedback on assignments, assessment scores, gradebook scores, and report cards. These forms of communication form a comprehensive system where you and your child’s teacher can partner to support your child’s education.
- Gradebook: Teachers in grades 4-6 will use Aeries gradebook to share your child’s progress with you. This is in addition to the other forms of communication mentioned above. The gradebook provides a live snapshot of your child’s learning journey.
- Report Cards: On the report card, teachers look at more recent work to report where your child is in their learning at the time of reporting. For grades 4-6, we will no longer use A-F letter grades. Instead, we will use the 1-4 proficiency scale to give you more specific information per standard. This change allows for a consistent grading experience across all elementary grades, aligning with how grades PK-3 have been grading.
Building Confidence and a Love of Learning
Our goal is to build student confidence and a love of learning by providing safe opportunities for practice and improvement.
- Safe Practice: Not all assignments receive a grade. Your child will have chances to practice skills and receive feedback to improve.
- Opportunities to Grow: We give students opportunities to reflect on their work, relearn, and try again. This approach encourages a growth mindset where students know they can improve with effort.
