Middletown presents scholar perception survey rollout and grading-for-equity changes; report cards due Feb. 10

Superintendent Amy Creedon told the Board of Education on Jan. 16 that the Enlarged City School District of Middletown will field its second annual 7 C's Scholar Perception Survey for all K–12 students between Feb. 3 and Feb. 21, with student results intended to inform instructional planning and campus goals. "We trust and honor their voice," Creedon said, noting the district used last year's results to shape programs and supports.

The superintendent and district instructional staff said the survey takes about 10 minutes and is administered in class during the school day. Creedon reported that last year "98% of our educators received scholar feedback," a rate district staff described as well above expectations for a first-year rollout. The district plans to publish interim and report-card information for families around Feb. 10 through the Infinite Campus parent portal.

Administrators then described changes to grading practice under the district's grading-for-equity effort. Presenters said the goal is consistent academic weighting across courses and clearer communication to families. Key points presented to the board included: aligned weighted categories for learning and assessment tasks at the middle-school level; use of rubrics and common assessments; a formal retake/redo process for certain assessments; and a grade floor intended to reduce punitive grade effects from early missing work. One presenter stated the middle-school floor is 50%; another presenter later referenced a prior practice described as a 55% good-faith minimum, and staff kept both figures on the record as they continue implementation.

The administration also outlined report-card features families should expect: attendance, weighted and unweighted GPA, numeric course grades, subskill ratings (elementary 1–4 scale where 1 = below grade level and 4 = exceeds), and comment codes that combine academic and behavioral feedback. District staff said assessment data (for example, NWEA MAP in middle grades and Regents at the high school) is visible on the portal and that grades update as teachers enter work and attendance daily.

Administrators gave a timeline of marking periods and parent-teacher conferences: the second marking period ends Jan. 31; report cards will appear around Feb. 10; family conferences are scheduled in March (elementary and secondary dates were provided); and subsequent marking-period end dates were listed through the school year. Staff said the district is offering multiple family-facing presentations (in-person and virtual, daytime and evening) and other access supports (interpretation, childcare) to increase family participation.

Board members asked about retention of student artwork from an in-school program and the district's parent outreach for the grading changes. Staff said each presentation produced one piece of art for the district to keep and reiterated ongoing communications, town halls and family nights to promote parent understanding and buy-in.

No formal board action was required on the survey or on the grading changes during the Jan. 16 meeting; the board received the reports and asked questions of staff.