GCVA STUDENT AND PARENT HANDBOOK
ACADEMIC RESPONSIBILITIES
- ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
- COURSE EXPECTATIONS
- GRADES
- GRADE REPORTS
- GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
- IN-PERSON TESTING
- RTI Services
- STUDENTS CLASSIFICATION
- TESTING POLICY
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Students are expected to complete all course work in its entirety. Claiming the work of others as if you completed it yourself is plagiarism and violates Grainger County’s Plagiarism Policy. Academic integrity focuses on a system of honesty, responsibility, fairness, and respect in an online environment. This is the foundation of virtual learning and is essential for the credibility of student learning, student growth and student success.
All students and parents/guardians will be required to sign Form A- Academic Integrity Policy to confirm understanding and acceptance of the responsibilities of academic honesty and the consequences of academic dishonesty.
COURSE EXPECTATIONS
GCVA High School courses are built on a four (4) block, semester schedule with each class being equivalent to a traditional 90-minute block in a brick-and-mortar school. Which means students should expect 90 minutes of work each day for each class. This equivalates to eight (8) courses each year.
GCVA Middle School courses are built on a six (6) block, year-long schedule. Which means students should expect 60 minutes of work each day for each class.
Because students have the opportunity to work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, students will have the ability to work at their own pace and on their own schedule. All class work for the week (Monday – Friday) will be posted on Saturday morning and all work will be due by midnight Friday. This gives each student seven days to complete five days of assignments.
It is highly recommended that students follow the weekly pacing agenda that accompanies each week’s assignments. Finishing work daily on a regular schedule will prevent getting behind, which builds stressful situations that are easily avoidable. And, of course, allowing time for review and revisions is always best practice.
Each teacher will post daily office hours (Monday-Friday) giving students the opportunity to contact them for additional information or assistance.
Each school day will provide a minimum of 6.5 hours of instructional time, incorporating a combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning, engagement activities, project-based learning, and structured time for assessments and feedback. This blended model ensures flexibility while maintaining a rigorous, high-quality instructional experience for all GCVA students.
A student's typical virtual learning day will include the following instructional components:
| Component | Time Allotment |
|---|---|
| Bisynchronous Instruction | 20% ( or 1-1.5 hrs) |
| Engaged Learning | 30% (2-3) |
| Project-based learning | 40% (2.5-3.5) |
| Formative Assessment/Feedback | 5% (.5) |
| Breaks, Transitions, and Independent Study | 5% (.5-1) |
GRADES
Although all work will be accessed via Google Classroom, final assignment grades and overall course grades will be recorded in Synergy by EduPoint and can be viewed by students and teachers using the apps StudentVue and TeacherVue. (Students and parents have individual logins and passwords. If you do not have access or are locked out of your account, please contact the school’s administration.) Teachers will have assignments graded and posted to EduPoint gradebook no later than five (5) days after an assignment is submitted. Grades will be available on StudentVue and TeacherVue at that time.
| GCVA 9-12 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade Distribution Scale | Grading Scale | |||
| District Assessments / Quarterly Assessments | 15% | 100-90 | A | |
| Project Based Learning | 25% | 89-80 | B | |
| Quizzes / Check-ins | 25% | 79-70 | C | |
| Summative Assessments | 25% | 69-60 | D | |
| Engagement (Discussion, Groups, etc.) | 10% | 59< | F | |
| FINAL GRADE CALCULATION | FINAL GRADE CALCULATION | |||
| (For non-EOC Courses) | (For EOC Courses) | |||
| Average of 1st 9-Weeks and 2nd 9-Weeks | 75% | Average of 1st 9-Weeks and 2nd 9-Weeks | 75% | |
| Semester Test | 25% | Semester Test | 10% | |
| EOC | 15% | |||
| GRADE CARD REPORTING SCHEDULE (Academic Calendar lists exact grade release dates.) | ||||
| Mid-Term- 4.5 weeks (Mid-Way Point-Not a recorded grade. Just a check-in to let you know how you’re doing.) | ||||
| Mid Semester-1st 9-weeks (Recorded Grade: no make-up work for first half of semester. Grades are locked in.) | ||||
| Mid-Term- 4.5 weeks (Mid-Way Point-Not a recorded grade. Just a check-in to let you know how you’re doing.) | ||||
| End of Semester-2nd 9- weeks (Recorded Grade: no make-up work for first half of semester. Grades are locked in.) | ||||
| (Will include the final course grade as calculated above.) | ||||
| GCVA 7-8 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade Distribution Scale (Each 9-Weeks) | Grading Scale | ||
| Standards Checks | 20% | 100-90 | A |
| Project Based Learning | 20% | 89-80 | B |
| Quizzes / Check-ins | 25% | 79-70 | C |
| Summative Assessments | 25% | 69-60 | D |
| Engagement (Discussion, Groups, etc.) | 10% | 59< | F |
| FINAL GRADE CALCULATION for each subject. | |||
| Average of 1st 9-Weeks, 2nd 9-Weeks, 3RD 9-Weeks, and 4th 9-Weeks. | 60% | ||
| Semester Test | 20% | ||
| TCAP | 20% | ||
| GRADE CARD REPORTING SCHEDULE (Academic Calendar lists exact grade release dates.) | |||
| Mid-Term- 4.5 weeks (Mid-Way Point-Not a recorded grade. Just a check-in to let you know how you’re doing) | |||
| 1st 9-weeks (Recorded Grade: no make-up work for first half of semester. Grades are locked in) | |||
| Mid-Term- 4.5 weeks (Mid-Way Point-Not a recorded grade. Just a check-in to let you know how you’re doing.) | |||
| 2nd 9-weeks (Recorded Grade: no make-up work for first half of semester. Grades are locked in) | |||
| Mid-Term- 4.5 weeks (Mid-Way Point-Not a recorded grade. Just a check-in to let you know how you’re doing.) | |||
| 3rd 9-weeks (Recorded Grade: no make-up work for first half of semester. Grades are locked in) | |||
| Mid-Term- 4.5 weeks (Mid-Way Point-Not a recorded grade. Just a check-in to let you know how you’re doing.) | |||
| 4th 9-weeks (Final Grade Report:) | |||
GRADE REPORTS
All grade reports will be issued through the Synergy ParentVue and StudentVue app. This is the official platform for accessing student academic information. Parents can view report cards, attendance, grades, and other important updates directly from the app, providing a secure and convenient way to stay informed. It is essential that both students and parents log in regularly to monitor progress and stay up to date with academic performance. Students will be issued login information during onboarding at the beginning of the year.
Families also have access to all EOC and TCAP testing results on the TCAP Family Portal. This free, secure online tool provided by the Tennessee Department of Education allows families to view their student’s state assessment results. It offers detailed score reports, performance breakdowns, Lexile reading levels, and personalized video summaries to help understand academic progress and identify areas for improvement. By logging in with a student’s ID and date of birth, families can easily track growth over time and access resources to support learning at home.
Students’ ACT scores will be released to the students first. Visit your MyACT page to view all your score reports. (my.act.org) This is a personal account; GCVA will not have your login information. However, once scores are released to the school, all students will have a counseling session to discuss and explain ACT reporting. ACT test results usually take at least two (2) weeks.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
To achieve a high school diploma from the state of Tennessee, students must meet the following.
| Math | 4 | Including Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry & a higher level math course. | High school students must complete 22 credits to obtain a Tennessee State Diploma. High school students must take all End of Course (EOC) as required by the State of Tennessee. These EOC exams will factor in the overall final grade for the course. (see Grade Distribution Scale) · English I · English II · Biology I · U.S. History · Algebra I · Algebra II · Geometry High school students must take the ACT or the SAT in the 11th year of school. | |
| English | 4 | English I, English II, English III, English IV | ||
| Science | 3 | Including Biology, Chemistry or Physics, and a third lab course. | ||
| Social Studies | 3 | Including U.S. History and Geography, World History and Geography, U.S. Government & Civics, and Economics | ||
| Wellness | 1 | |||
| Physical Education | .5 | |||
| Personal Finance | .5 | |||
| Computer Science | 1 | Can count as Math or Science | ||
| Elective Focus | 3 | Math & Science; Humanities; | ||
| Fine Arts | 1 | |||
| Students must have a final grade of 60 or above to receive credit for any course. | ||||
IN-PERSON TESTING
As stated before, students’ work is available 24/7 and students can work at their own pace and schedule with flexibility. However, there are two situations where students must be present.
- District Testing: Grainger County Schools require district testing every 4.5 weeks at the end of each grading period. These tests must be completed “live” in a virtual meeting in front of a camera. It’s not necessary that students complete these in-person, only “live” virtually. This means the student must be in front of the camera of a school issued device that is monitored with school software. Students can contact teachers during their office hours to schedule a time for this virtual testing.
- TN State Testing: All TN State Testing (EOC’s, TCAP, ACT) must be completed in person. GCVA will coordinate and communicate the time and location for in-person testing.
STUDENTS CLASSIFICATION
The grade level of a student is determined by the number of credits earned each semester. A student must have earned the following credits in order to move to the next grade level: Sophomore (6); Junior (12); Senior (18).
TESTING POLICY
Actively participating in all state-mandated TNReady assessments, including TCAP and End-of-Course (EOC) exams—is a requirement for continued enrollment. Refusing to take a test or leaving during a testing session will be considered a violation of enrollment expectations and may result in dismissal from the program.
Students who have an active IEP or 504 will receive accommodations as stated in their most recent plan.
In-Person Required Test
TNReady TCAP is the state mandated assessments program that provides detailed information about students’ progress toward college and career readiness. These annual assessments serve as crucial academic check points to make sure all students are moving forward. TNReady is designed to assess true understanding and problem-solving abilities, not just basic memorization skills. These are the critical-thinking abilities needed to become a lifelong learner to promote future success.
State testing is mandated for the following subjects: High School: Integrated Math 1 B, Integrated Math 2 B, Integrated Math 3 B, English I, English II, English III, U.S. History, Chemistry, and Biology; Grades 7-8: TCAP-ELA, Math, Science and Social Studies. Tests will be administered online and/or paper/pencil as determined by the state. Even if administered online, students will still need to test in-person at one of the designated test sites.
GCVA administration will notify students and families at least one month prior to the mandated testing day, time, and location. Once families have been notified, they will have five(5) days to request an alternate testing day. GCVA will review each request and will accommodate to the best of their ability. Schedule requests will not automatically be granted; each will be considered individually.
Failure to Participate in the regularly scheduled test and/or any make-up test opportunities will result in a grade of zero for the weighted portion of the final grade which could result in a failing grade for the course and losing the opportunity to enroll in GCVA the following year. (Testing grade portion is described earlier in the Grading section of this handbook.)
ACT
In Tennessee, all public school students are required to participate in a postsecondary readiness assessment like the ACT or SAT. Students must take either the ACT or SAT to receive a regular high school diploma. Specifically, the Tennessee Code Annotated § 49-6-6001 mandates this requirement.
Grainger County Schools require all students to take the ACT during 11th grade (Junior Year). Students may take the ACT on any National ACT testing day at any location they choose. They may also join other 11th grade students and take the ACT at a Grainger County High School or Washburn High School site during the Spring testing date. ACT information will be sent via email when scheduling is determined.
GCVA understands that testing may disrupt the regular daily family schedule. However, through patience and flexibility, every accommodation request will be met to the best of our ability. Just keep in mind, we MUST follow State laws, rules, guidelines and protocol, and ACT is a national test with its own set of rules and regulations that must be followed as well.
STUDENT SERVICES
COUNSELING DEPARTMENT
Counseling services are available for every student. These services include assistance with educational planning, interpretation of test scores, occupational/career information, study assistance, help with home, school, and/or social concerns, or any question students would like to discuss with a counselor. Any student who wishes to visit a counselor must make an appointment before school or between classes.
CHILD FIND
The Grainger County Board of Education provides special education and related services and special accommodations to all children with disabilities between the ages of three (3) and twenty-two (22) as part of the requirement to provide such children with a free, appropriate public education. Anyone who knows of a child who may qualify for and is not now receiving these services is asked to call Ginny McElhaney, Special Education Supervisor and 504RTI2 Services
The need for additional foundational reading and math services will be provided through a Response to Instruction and Intervention course. The goal of RTI2 is to provide help to students who struggle with reading and math. Multiple sources of data will be used to determine if RTI2 services are needed—past test data, course data, and screeners; attendance and behavioral records; and current screening data.
If it is determined that RTI2 services are needed, students will be scheduled for courses they need:
- Tier II English Language Arts Intervention: G01H24
- Tier III English Language Arts Intervention: G01H19
- Tier II Mathematics Intervention: G02H43
- Tier III Mathematics Intervention: G02H22
These courses are designed to provide targeted support based on students' specific needs, ensuring they receive appropriate instruction to improve their academic performance.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
- ATTENDANCE
- CLASS CHANGES
- COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE
- DRIVER’S LICENSE
- FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
- ONSITE VISITS
- WITHDRAWALS & TRANSFERS
ATTENDANCE
GCVA will employ a two-step system for monitoring attendance.
First Measure of Attendance
Students are required to “check in” each school day by responding to a daily attendance question posted in a dedicated Google Classroom. This question will be brief and non-subject specific and is designed solely for attendance tracking. Responses will be monitored by administration. Completion of the daily “check-in” will count as part of the attendance grade for that class. If a student experiences issues with internet access, a “call-in” attendance option will be available as an alternative.
Second Measure of Attendance
The second measure of attendance will be determined by student engagement in daily assignments. Students should follow the weekly pacing agenda and systematically engage with their daily work and dedicate the necessary time to master all assignments. Teachers will record daily attendance in accordance with the level of engagement and compliance with course work completion; with the submissions of completed daily assignments; and logged activity across various apps connected to Google Classroom.
Attendance Example: If a student submits all assignments for the week (by Friday’s deadline) with assignments completed meeting teacher expectations, and has answered the attendance question for each day, the student will be marked present for the entire week (all five days). If a student submits Monday’s, Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s assignments complete, meeting teacher expectations, the student will be marked present for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and absent on Thursday and Friday (even if they answered the daily attendance question).
Attendance records will be available to students and parents/guardians in the StudentVue and ParentVue app no later than five (5) days after attendance has been recorded.
Excused and/or Unexcused Absences
Absences will be classified as excused or unexcused in accordance with the Grainger County Board of Education Attendance Policy. GCVA administrators will be responsible for determining the classification of all absences. However, an excused absence does not exempt students from completing assigned coursework. All missed work must still be completed in its entirety, and the deadline for submission will be determined by the individual classroom teacher.
A student who fails to complete the weekly assigned work for each class will be marked absent as half of the attendance requirement has not been met. Attendance will be recorded based on the amount of work completed and submitted. In accordance with the Grainger County Schools Truancy Policy, students will be considered truant if they accumulate:
- Five (5) days of unexcused absences or
- Ten (10) days of excused absences
Students identified as truant will receive written notice of attendance violations and will be given an opportunity to submit corrective documentation within a timeline determined by the administration. If no valid documentation is provided, the student and guardian will be required to attend a virtual or in-person meeting with teachers and administrators. This meeting will focus on determining the best course of action for improving attendance and ensuring coursework completion.
During the meeting, teachers will collaborate with students and guardians to review attendance expectations and develop an action plan for completing missed work and moving forward successfully. If truancy violations persist or if the action plan is not followed, the case will be reported to the Director of Schools’ Office, where a progressive truancy intervention plan may be implemented in accordance with the Grainger County Schools Attendance Policy.
Consequences of Truancy Overview
5 days of unexcused absence – Notification sent home
10 days of unexcused absences – Reported to Director of Schools Office and Tiered Intervention implemented.
15 days of unexcused absences – driver’s license is revoked, and student progress and circumstances will be reviewed and considered for dismissal or forfeit their eligibility to return the following year. Determination will be at the discretion of the Director of Schools and GCVA administration.
CLASS CHANGES
Any changes in students’ courses must be made in the first week of each semester. High school 1st semester courses begin in August on teachers’ first day of school and 2nd semester begins on the first day teachers return in January. Middle school courses begin on the first day of school in August as middle school courses run year-long.
After the first week of each course, all schedule changes must be faculty-initiated.
COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE
Compulsory attendance of all students between the ages of 6-18 shall be enforced in compliance with the laws of the State of Tennessee. This means that a child must attend school until his/her eighteenth birthday unless he/she has received a diploma or other certificate of completion for high school or is enrolled in a course of instruction leading to a GED. A student’s excessive absence may result in a referral of the student and the student’s parents to the Sheriff and Grainger County Juvenile Courts.
It is the duty of the principal or teachers of every public, private or parochial school to report promptly to the Director of Schools the names of all children who have withdrawn from school, or who have been absent three (3) days without adequate excuse. The director of Schools shall provide written notice to the parent, guardian or other person in Tennessee in parental relation to such children who are unlawfully absent from school. A new notice shall be sent for accumulation of unexcused absences.
Grainger County Schools has a progressive Truancy Intervention Plan, which is a 3-Tiered Plan of Intervention designed to improve student attendance. For more information, see Grainger County School Board Policy 6.20 or call 865-828-3611.
DRIVER’S LICENSE
In order to obtain a driver’s license or permit, a person under the age of eighteen (18) must present a diploma or other certificate of graduation, issued from a secondary high school, attendance documentation that the person is enrolled and making satisfactory progress in a course leading to a GED certificate, or enrolled in a secondar school of Tennessee and making satisfactory progress. Enrolled and making satisfactory progress is defined as: passing 75% of all courses currently enrolled, absent less than 15 days per semester, and/or at no time missing ten (10) consecutive school days. Students in violation of this law will not be issued their license and if they already have their license, it will be revoked. TCA 49-6-3017.
Requests for “Certificates of Attendance” must be made using the request form on the school website. After having withdrawn from and then returning, students will not be eligible for a “Certificate of Attendance” until completing 30 consecutive days of perfect attendance. Second or subsequent withdrawals will not be issued a certificate.
FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
TEXTBOOKS: Adult students, parents, or guardians shall accept full responsibility for the proper care, preservation, return, or replacement of all textbooks, novels, magazines, and/or supplemental material issued to students as part of the mandated curriculum. Failure to return books in proper condition will result in a replacement fee at the responsibility of the student or the parent/guardian.
ELECTRONIC DEVICES: Adult students, parents, or guardians shall accept full responsibility for the proper care, preservation, return, or replacement of Chromebooks issued to students.
ONSITE VISITS
Occasionally GCVA students will be required to visit Grainger High School and/or Washburn High School. In those instances, GCVA students are required to follow all GHS rules and regulations. Visit the school website for a complete list which can be found in the Handbook section.
- Closed Campus: Grainger High School and Washburn High School operate a closed campus. Students must stay on the school grounds from the time they arrive, even if the event has not started, until dismissal. A parent or guardian must sign the student out before they leave campus.
- Knives/Box Cutters, etc: Students shall not possess, handle, transmit, use or attempt to use knives in school buildings or on school grounds, or on any grounds used for school purposes at any time, or in school vehicles and/or buses or off the school grounds at a school sponsored activity, function or event.
WITHDRAWALS & TRANSFERS
The school counseling office must be notified prior to any withdrawal or transfer. All materials must be returned and all fees, including cafeteria balances, must be paid before credits are transferred to another school or entity.