Aspen Online Gradebook

DC Public Schools uses an online gradebook system called Aspen. Teachers are asked to update students' grades every two weeks so that students and their parents know how they are doing in each of their classes and can make up work and redirect their efforts to pass each advisory. Some faculty members use additional methods to communicate about grades.

• If you'd like to access your DCPS Aspen Account, click here: http://aspen.dcps.dc.gov
• Si desea acceder a su cuenta Aspen de DCPS, haga clic aquí: http://aspen.dcps.dc.gov

Resetting Your Aspen Password

Both parents and students can reset their own passwords using the "I forgot my password" link, which is located on the Aspen homepage. However If you have a problem with that, use the link above under "Need Help with Aspen" to request a password reset.

How to Subscribe to Email Notifications in Aspen

​​​​​​​Parents and students can subscribe to receive email messages when a grade below the threshold you define is recorded.
To subscribe to email notifications, do the following:

1.  In the Family portal: Click the “Family” tab. In the Student portal: Click the “My Info” tab.
2. Click the “Notification” side-tab.

At the top of the page, the email addresses associated with your account appear. Select the checkbox next to each email address you want to receive notifications for.
Select the “Subscribe” checkbox if you want to receive that email notification. For the Grades notification, define a Grade Threshold between 1 and 100. The system will send an email when the student receives a grade below that percentage.

Academic integrity lies at the heart of learning. Members of the Wilson community are expected to uphold the highest standards of honesty. Specific violations of the Academic Honor Code are described below. These provisions will be enforced according to the Student Code of Conduct.

Plagiarism

To plagiarize is to use the work, ideas, or words of someone else without giving that person credit. Plagiarism may involve using someone else’s wording without using quotation marks, a distinctive name, a phrase, a sentence, or an entire passage or essay. The issue of plagiarism applies to any type of work, including exams, papers, or other writing, computer programs, art, photography, or video.

Inappropriate Collaboration

Close collaboration on academic work requires acknowledgment. Inappropriate collaboration involves working with someone else in developing, organizing, or revising a project (such as a paper, an oral presentation, a research project, or a take-home examination) without acknowledging that person’s help. Specific policies regarding collaborative work, peer review, use of tutors, and editing may vary by teacher.

Dishonesty in Examinations (In-Class or Take-Home)

An examination is to be solely a student’s own work, unless otherwise directed by the instructor. No communication is allowed between or among students, nor are students allowed to consult books, papers, study aids or notes, without explicit permission. Cheating includes, but is not limited to, copying from another’s paper, giving unauthorized assistance, obtaining unauthorized advance knowledge of questions to an examination, or use of mechanical or marking devices or procedures for the purpose of achieving false scores on machine-graded examinations. Specific policies regarding examinations may vary by teacher.

Dishonesty in Papers

Students are prohibited from submitting any material prepared by or purchased from another person or company. All papers and materials submitted for a course must be the student’s original work, unless the sources are otherwise cited.

Work Done for One Course and Submitted to Another

Students may not present the same work in more than one course. Under exceptional circumstances, teachers may permit a significant piece of research to satisfy requirements in two classes. However, both teachers must agree in advance to this arrangement. Students are reminded that when incorporating their own past research into current projects, they need to reference such previous work.

Interference with Other Students’ Work

Students may not intentionally interfere with the work of others, such as by sabotaging laboratory experiments or research, giving misleading information, or disrupting class work.

• To plagiarize is to use the work, ideas, or words of someone else without giving that person credit. Plagiarism may involve using someone else’s wording without using quotation marks, a distinctive name, a phrase, a sentence, or an entire passage or essay. The issue of plagiarism applies to any type of work, including exams, papers, or other writing, computer programs, art, photography, or video.
• Close collaboration on academic work requires acknowledgment.
• Inappropriate collaboration involves working with someone else in developing, organizing, or revising a project (such as a paper, an oral presentation, a research project, or a take-home examination) without acknowledging that person’s help. Specific policies regarding collaborative work, peer review, use of tutors, and editing may vary by teacher. An examination is to be solely a student’s own work, unless otherwise directed by the instructor. No communication is allowed between or among students, nor are students allowed to consult books, papers, study aids or notes, without explicit permission.
• Cheating includes, but is not limited to, copying from another’s paper, giving unauthorized assistance, obtaining unauthorized advance knowledge of questions to an examination, or use of mechanical or marking devices or procedures for the purpose of achieving false scores on machine-graded examinations. Specific policies regarding examinations may vary by teacher.
• Students are prohibited from submitting any material prepared by or purchased from another person or company. All papers and materials submitted for a course must be the student’s original work, unless the sources are otherwise cited. Students may not present the same work in more than one course. Under exceptional circumstances, teachers may permit a significant piece of research to satisfy requirements in two classes. However, both teachers must agree in advance to this arrangement. Students are reminded that when incorporating their own past research into current projects, they need to reference such previous work.
• Students may not intentionally interfere with the work of others, such as by sabotaging laboratory experiments or research, giving misleading information, or disrupting class work.

In consultation with the School Chapter Advisory Committee, Local School Advisory Team, and Academic Leadership Team, Jackson-Reed has established the following local school grading policy to support consistency and clarity of grading throughout our school.

Work Submission Guidance

To support a positive teaching and learning environment, teachers will clearly communicate assignment due dates, and students are expected to submit assignments on the given due date. If extenuating circumstances (illness, family obligations, etc.) prevent a student from submitting work on time they are responsible to make arrangements with their teacher as soon as possible. Please see submission guidance below:

• Work may be submitted via Canvas or in-person. Teachers will provide guidance on specific assignment submission methods.
• Daily and weekly assignments will be due at 11:59 pm. Assignments with a same-day due date will only be given on the days when the class meets. For example, teachers will not post assignments for an "A Day" class on a "B Day" (or vice versa) and require the assignment to be due the same day.
• Revisions and late work must be submitted by 5 pm on the last official day of the term, as determined by DCPS.
• Presentations or group projects must be completed on the last day of the term the class meets.

Revision Guidance

We believe that learning is a process and students should be given multiple opportunities to improve their grade(s).  Students will be allowed to revise assignments where they can improve, this includes tests, quizzes, essays, and projects.

• When applicable, revisions will take place in-person.
• All teachers will schedule at least four in-person revision days into each term on the days they choose.
• Teachers will identify, announce, and communicate to students and families at the start of each term, when their in-class revision days occur. These should be posted on Canvas.
• It is recommended that teachers use the last "A" and "B" days before the midpoint of the advisory and the end of the term.

 Grade Dispute Guidance

• If a student/family has concerns about a grade, the first step is to reach out to the class teacher regarding any grading issue.
• Teachers will be expected to provide clarity and communicate back to the student/family regarding the grading concern within five (5) school days.
• If a student/family believes the disputed grade is still inaccurate after receiving communication from the teacher, please contact the content area Assistant Principal or Resident Principal. The content area administrator will communicate back to the student and family within ten (10) school days.
• Content Assistant Principal & Resident Principal Assignments:
  • Tomeka McKenzie: History
  • Porshia Ojigbo: Math
  • Marc Minsker: English, CTE
  • Greg Bargeman: World Languages, Health & PE
  • Camille Robinson: Science, Visual & Performing Arts
  • Ron Anthony: Special Education

 Plagiarism / AI

Students are expected to complete and submit original work.  Instances where the teacher determines a student has submitted work that is not their own, the grade will be entered as a WS (waiting to submit) and students will be given the opportunity to submit original work.

• Report Cards. Report cards are issued four times annually, one per advisory. They are mailed home to the student's address on record in Aspen.

• Progress Reports. Halfway through each advisory, progress reports are issued. These are also mailed home.

• Parent-Teacher Conferences. Parent-teacher conferences will take place two times during the school year. Conferences offer an opportunity for you to meet each of your student’s teachers in person and to review your student’s progress. More information with be forthcoming as the dates draw near.
• Contacting Teachers. The best way to contact teachers is through email. Each teacher's email address is available on this website. From the homepage, click on All Staff on the Quicklinks menu.   Messages for teachers can also be left in the main office.
• Counselors. Counselors are available to students before school, during STEP, and after school. Your student’s counselor will be able to arrange meetings with multiple teachers.