AP 206: Appeals Concerning Student Marks
Instruction & Assessment
Background
Course objectives, content, and evaluation procedures shall be clearly stated and largely consistent for the same course offered at different times and by different teachers.
Where disagreements arise between a teacher’s assessment and a student’s expectation of progress, students shall have the right to appeal school awarded marks.
Procedures
1. Teachers shall adhere to Administrative Procedure 202 – Assessment, Evaluation and Reporting.
2. In terms of course outcomes, objectives and content, the Principal shall ensure comparable assessment exists from one class to another, in the same course, and within the school.
3. A student, or a guardian acting on the student’s behalf, shall have the right to appeal the final standing awarded in any subject;
3.1. Information about the appeal process shall be communicated to students, and parents and/or guardians, annually.
4. After first discussing the matter with the student’s teacher, an appeal may be made in writing to the Principal within seven (7) days of the time that final standings are released by the school to students; notably
4.1. The written appeal shall outline the reason or reasons for making the request.
5. The Principal shall acknowledge receipt of the appeal, and shall indicate to the student the expected date when a decision with regard to the appeal shall be reached:
5.1. For appeals of final grades awarded during the first semester, the Principal’s ruling shall be conveyed to the student within seven (7) days of the student/s appeal; and
5.2. For second semester or summer school appeals, the Principal’s ruling shall be made available to the student within seven (7) days of the opening of the next school year.
6. Teachers shall make available, to the Principal, all final examinations and other pertinent material used in the evaluation of their students, when requested, and as directed by the Principal.
7. The Principal shall employ as many of the following procedures as may be necessary when reviewing the final grade awarded to a student:
7.1. Consultation with teacher(s) involved;
7.2. A check of records;
7.3. A personal hearing of the student’s appeal;
7.4. A review of evaluation procedures followed; and
7.5. The granting of permission to the student to see the graded final examination.
8. The Principal shall confirm, in writing, the outcome for the appeal to the student and shall keep a copy of the response and supporting documentation on file.
9. Should an urgent reason for an appeal exist, such as scholarships, entry into a post-secondary Institution, or job placement, the following procedures shall be used:
9.1. The student who is appealing a grade shall do so upon receipt of the final report of progress;
9.2. The Principal shall rule on the urgency of the appeal;
9.3. Where the appeal is deemed urgent, the Principal shall acknowledge the urgency and expedite the process the appeal;
9.4. The results shall be forwarded immediately to the student and the student’s parents or guardian; and
9.5. Although principals and teachers are not required to be available for appeal purposes during their regular vacation periods, each Principal shall make reasonable provision to deal with urgent appeals.
10. Should a student and/or parent or guardian not be satisfied with the outcome of an appeal made to the Principal, the student or parent may formalize an appeal to the Superintendent or designate as per Administrative Procedure 172: Appeal Process Regarding Student Matters.
11. With respect to Diploma marks, a student has the right of appeal to the Learner Assessment Branch of Alberta Education, in accordance with the Guide to Education;
11.1. The Principal shall provide the student with the procedures for contacting the Learner Assessment Branch; and
11.2. The student has the right to request that his/her diploma examination be re-scored or to re-write the examination at a later date.
Approved:
