Marking-Period Changes Proposed To Aid Manchester High Students

MANCHESTER, NJ — Manchester Township High School students could see changes to the school's marking periods this school year under a proposal before the Board of Education.

The high school, which operates on block scheduling, would add a third marking period to each semester under changes proposed to the school board in July, meaning progress reports and grades will be issued more often, district officials said. The goal is to identify students who are struggling in their classes and get them help sooner so they succeed in school, officials said.

Under the system in place for the 2020-21 school year, semester-long classes were half over before students received a grade.

The school board was presented with the plan at the July meeting and must vote on whether or not to approve it, the district said.

Classes that last one semester would have three marking periods, at the 30-, 60- and 90-day marks, with progress reports issued at 30 and 60 days. Full-year A/B courses, which meet every other day during the school year, would get progress reports at 30, 90, and 150 days, and grades at 60, 120 and 180 days.

Progress reports are issued for students with a grade below a C.

"The addition of a third marking period gives students two marking periods to overcome a poor start, bring their grade up, and be successful in the class," said Alex George, director of student and administrative services, during the presentation to the board. "It involves parents earlier in the academic calendar as well."

Each of the three marking periods would be worth 30 percent of the semester's final grade, with the final exam worth 10 percent, and students must take the final exam (unless they are exempt) to pass the course.

A final exam exemption policy for students in grades 9-12 would provide academic rewards for students excelling in their classes. Students must have an A average, with no marking period being lower than an 85 in order to earn an exemption in the class. Freshmen can earn the right to be exempt from one core class and one elective. Sophomores can be exempt from two core classes and one elective. Juniors can be exempt from two core classes and two electives. Seniors have historically had exemptions for all qualifying classes and would continue to do so.

Note: This article has been updated to clarify that the marking period changes are proposed and still must be approved by the Board of Education, a point that initially was unclear in district communications.

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