Academic Appeal Policy

Rationale:

Assessment is an ongoing process. Please see the Assessment Policy for more information on assessment at CIS. Should a student or parent disagree with an awarded grade/level of achievement, the student or parent must first contact the respective teacher directly. This allows the teacher an opportunity to explain the grade/level of achievement and how it was awarded. If there is still a concern about the grade/level of achievement, the student or parent should initiate the Academic Appeal process via email to his/her respective principal. A student’s final result reflects both their most consistent and most recent achievement levels.

An appeal is a request for a review of a decision made by an Academic faculty member. A student or parent may only request a review of the decision made by an Academic faculty member if grounds are valid. Academic Appeal results in one of two outcomes: the grade/level of achievement remains the same or the grade/level of achievement is changed.

Valid grounds for lodging an appeal include:

• Grade/level of achievement not determined by assignment/assessment method that was specified by the teacher
• Work handed in on time and not marked
• Alleged disadvantage through lack of feedback
• Alleged bias affecting the assignment/assessment
• Alleged incorrect advice from staff teaching the unit in question
• Approved accommodations not provided
• Any other grounds accepted by the division principal

Invalid grounds for appeal include:

• Objectives (the expected learner outcomes) of the unit in question
• Assessment methods approved for the unit (the type of assessment)
• Standard required to achieve particular grades/levels of achievement (assignment/assessment rubrics)
• Personal or medical problems
• Financial implications of not passing the unit
• Grades/levels of achievement received by student in other units
• Amount of work done and penalty imposed for plagiarism in accordance with the school’s Academic Honesty Policy

There is no right of appeal against decisions made by the Examination Board.

A student whose case is under consideration by the Examination Board shall have the right to continue with his/her course until such time as a decision is reached, to ensure that he/she is not academically disadvantaged.

Procedures / Guidelines

Students or parents must submit an Academic Appeal Form to the division principal within 3 days of the release of results; if the division principal is unavailable, the form should be submitted to the Head of Academics, or the Head of School.

1. The division principal reviews the request and, if valid, forwards the appeal to the Examination Board for review.
2. In reviewing the appeal, the Examination Board considers, where applicable, the following:
   • the student’s or parent’s statement of appeal
   • the student’s or parent’s extraordinary circumstances statement
   • the student’s or parent’s verbal presentation to the Examination Board
   • the examiner’s or teacher’s report
   • the principal’s report
3. Following the review, the Examination Board approves or denies the appeal. A simple majority is required for the decision.
4. If approved, the Head of Academics notifies the student and his/her parent/s in writing within seven days of the decision being made.
5. The division principal ensures that the change is recorded in the official student record within four weeks of the decision being made, as per the Changes to Student Records Policy.
6. If denied, the Head of Academics notifies the student and his/her parent/s in writing within seven days of the decision being made.
7. The decision made by the Examination Board is final.
8. The Academic Appeal Policy is available in the High School Student eHandbook, Middle School Student Agenda, and Parent Handbook.

Applicability Group:  All Students

Related School Policies:  Assessment Policy, Academic Honesty Policy