1. GATS Gradebook and Attendance Tracking System

2. Accessing Your Electronic Gradebook
What you will need:
an address
Password
Birth month and birth date (ex. 0110)
Internet access
Teacher Tip: Know your campus GATS Contact -
(Your Principal and another administrator)
First and foremost, an active address is needed for all teachers and/or employees wishing to access GATS. The initial activation password will default to the teacher’s four digit birth month and date. Of course, internet access is a must.

3. Password
Initially you will log in with birth month birth date as password (0314)
At login, you will be prompted to change it
The system will also ask you to change your password every 90 days
District’s naming convention
6+ characters
At least one in CAPS
At least one in lower case
Must contain at least one number
Examples: Traine5 or sAm
Remember to make it memorable for you
GATS will prompt you to change your password every 90 days and it remembers! So, you can’t just re-use the same password- it has to be new.

4. Setting Up Your Gradebook
Turn OFF All Pop-up blockers. The gradebook window will open and close if you have ANY pop-up blockers on. IE
Yahoo
Google
Login at and locate GATS
Place the shortcut link on your desk
If you need help turning off the pop-blockers, call the HelpDesk at

5. E20 Grading Procedure Grading Categories “FIXED”
Two grading categories determine student’s grades:
Assessment Performance – which may include, but not limited to exams, to include semester exams, recitations, teacher-made tests, quizzes, interim assessments, projects, and other grade-level acceptable assessment measures.
Assignment Performance – which may include, but are not limited to, projects, journals, labs, projects, classwork, homework, research, class participation and other instructional activities related to the content area.
When it comes to grading categories, they are fixed for you by the district (assessment and assignment). Ask for examples of both from the audience

6. E20 Grading Procedure
Additional Grading Categories require the following approval by Sept. 1
Complete Request to Change Grading Categories or Grade Weighting (Form E20A)
There is a process to change categories as well as grade weighting , which we will cover in the next slide. This process has to be completed by Sept. 1 every new school year.

7. Secondary Grade Weighting
Grade Weighting Percent Method
Assessment Performance no less than 40%
Assignment Performance no more than 60%
Campus and/or grade level may select to weight grades using a different percentile or ADD another category.
If so, the campus or grade level MUST:
Convene a CLT or grade level meeting
Decision must be reached by consensus and ALL teachers affected will adhere to the new grading system
Approval from Administrator (Form E20A) By Sept. 1
Maintain minutes/notes at the campus
NOTIFY parents and students of grading system
When weighting grades:
Method of weighting grades will be set to Percent
Weight for each category will meet the District policy
The MINIMUM Assessment Performance measures shall constitute 40% of the student’s nine-week grade
The MAXIMUM Class work and/or Homework shall constitute 60% of the student’s nine-week grade
Categories, Weights and Method of weighting grades are preset and need Principal approval to be changed.
If the campus chooses to increase the % of assessment, and decrease the % for class work and/or homework, or ADD another Category, then the following guidelines must be met:
Convene a CLT, grade level meeting
Ensure that the decision is reached by consensus and that ALL affected teachers will adhere to the new grading system
Administrator approval – Form E20A
Maintain minutes/notes at the campus
Notify parents and students

8. Secondary Grade Weighting
Grading Weighting Percent Method
Assignment Performance
Assessment Performance
Will equal 100
These are fixed!! Unless, the process is followed by Sept. 1

9. Number of Grades Number of Grades Grades 1-12
Teachers will record NO LESS than 15 grades per grading period per subject.
No fewer than 1-2 grades per week per subject.
No less than 15 grades for every student in every subject, which means no fewer than 1-2 grades per a week. Remember to input grades every week. You do not want to be caught inputting grades the night before they are due for 60+ students.

10. Progress Reports Progress Reports Every 3rd and 6th Week
Dates set at beginning of school year (based on UIL eligibility)
Grades 1-12
All students should receive a progress report at the 3rd and 6th weeks within a 9-wk grading period.
Students in danger of failing MUST receive a progress report.
Timelines are online and based on UIL eligibility. They are set for the entire year unless otherwise notified by ITLS department.

11. Verifying Gradebook by Teacher (Report Card Period ONLY) means:
All students appear in the gradebook.
Grades for all assignments are entered for all students in all courses. (M,I,E, Blanks should have note)
Each student is receiving the grade they have earned in the class. (M, I, E, Blank)
Comments have been provided for ALL students.
Citizenship has been marked for all students in all courses. If not marked the default is an S.
There are NO additional changes.
Report cards may be printed based on the results that are reported.
The Cycle and Semester grades have been reviewed on the Cumulative Grades screen and are correct.
When verifying a gradebook (at the end of the nine weeks) it means you are saying to the administrator all of the following: (read from the screen)

12. Special Education 3 scenarios
General education teacher gives 100% of grade (the teacher must record modifications)
Special education teacher gives 100% of grade (when this teacher is the teacher of record, data clerk creates a class for this teacher and that teacher maintains the grade book)
General education teacher is teacher of record, but student goes to special education classes (they come together to reach an average and both teachers will be able to use the grade book to post grades, but special education teacher’s report will NOT print for the official record)
There are three scenarios to remember when it comes to students receiving special education services. Remind teachers- when they get to their campus, check with special education teacher as to how grades are handled.

13. Special Education Teachers
Teacher of Record
Responsible for inputting/recording students grades
Itinerant Support, Co-teaching, and other Services
Will use grade book for recording services. Grades will not print on official progress reports or report cards.
Will not take attendance
Courses will not print on schedules
Reading Services
Math Services
LA Services

14. Attendance Procedure F48
Secondary teachers submit Official ADA Attendance at 10:00 am and post to 2nd period.
Tardies are posted by teacher only. The data/attendance clerks will not post tardy updates.
Elementary teachers post tardies to 2nd period ONLY
Left Early Posting is for Grades 1-5 ONLY
Elementary teachers mark the L for Left Early to 3rd period ONLY and should Submit at the end of the school day. (preferably 3:00 pm)
An L for Left Early is calculated as a Tardy. Parents must be notified of this policy.
Attendance is taken for every period, but the official ADA snapshot occurs in period 2 so please make sure attendance is posted.

15. Attendance Procedure F48
Attendance Verification Report MUST be signed and dated every Monday.
This must be signed every week and turned into the attendance clerk. Verify to make sure it is accurate

16. Week 1 and Week 2 Day 1 Attendance
Mass Activation – Enrolling Students
Mark an “E” for enroll when the student is physically present in class
Marking “E” will only happen once so do not panic if you see it grayed out when you try to mark the student “E”. Once the student is marked “E” , shortly after (hopefully the next day) the regular attendance of P (Present) and A (Absent) will appear. If a student is physically present but not on your attendance roster verify with the data clerk the student should be in your class (make sure to ask your principal or data clerk about first day procedures on the campus)

17. GATS - Roster Screen
Verify that all students are on the class roster- notify clerk/counselor/administrator if not

18. Teacher Preferences (Access by clicking on Teacher’s name)
Used to manage teacher information, control the way student data is displayed on the main gradebook page, or create custom fields for tracking student information.
Use if Approved ONLY
Use the “View” drop-down list to switch between user (teacher) information and student information.
Under the View: User Profile, the teacher can change password, create custom fields, and set retake behavior.
The maximum retake grade limits the score a student can receive if a retake grade has been entered for that student. The retake behavior setting determines how the system will calculate retake grades.
You can also choose whether you want to view the gradebook, attendance page, or “Grades by Student” page when you first log in.
You can also change the view to Student Profiles and change options there as well

19. Create Custom Fields
Under Teacher preferences teachers can Create Custom Fields for student information
Teachers may add custom fields like textbooks, web publishing forms, etc.

20. Custom Fields
The page will be rearranged as necessary to allow the selected fields to appear. You can make appropriate entries into these fields, and click “Update” to save your changes. To remove a field from the display, un-check it on the left, then click “Refresh.” Any entries you may have made to those fields will be saved even while the field is hidden.
These fields can be used to store student information in the gradebook. To select custom fields to be displayed, click on a student’s name on the main gradebook page. A student list will appear.
To display the custom fields, check the box next to the desired fields on the left side of the page, then click “Refresh.”
Textbook numbers
Permission slip
Picture money
Etc.

21. New Assignment New feature to new assignment window:
GradeSpeed allows you to associate specific state standards with each assignment.
Objectives do not need to be there, but it is a possibility
Rubric module not used
**Special Ed modifications will appear on this screen.

22. Grade Explanation
Enter the grade the student earns. If the student earns an 89 then input an 89. If the student earns a 35, input a 35 but add a note and remember parents as well as administrators can view the note. Then proceed through each grade explanation.

23. Inputting Grades Insert grades from Assignments list
This screen allows for you to view:
Original Grade
Retake Grade
Points Added (to the assignment)
Override Grade
Late
Do Not Drop (Gradebook defaults to drop three grades)
Notes and Modifications
Do not wait until the last minute, input grades within the week the grades happen.

24. Applied Modifications
The “A” tells you that points were added to the grade. The “N” tells you that a note is attached to the grade. The “X” means that this grade will not be dropped, even if it is the lowest score. The “L” indicates that the assignment was late, and the “R2” tells you that the score represents the second retake opportunity. Hover the mouse over any of these symbols to see the details related to the symbol.
Once you have entered the grade modifications for a student, click “Update” and then “Return” to the main gradebook page. You will see that your modifications have been applied, and that the grade will now have several codes surrounding it – each one explains the modification that was made.

25. Special Ed Modifications
To select the special education modification codes, simply click on the modifications box and check box window will appear with the modifications.
The teacher then checks the modifications that apply to the student then clicks OK. A code will appear around the grade to view the modifications applied.
Modifications must happen (as/if required by the IEP) for every assignment in every subject. They do not carry over.

26. Training Resources Materials posted on GATS website Teacher’s Manual
Administrator’s Manual
Online Tutorials
Campus Presentations
Administrator Manual
Teacher Manual
Online Tutorial
Campus Presentations (powerpoint is available online)

27. Fall Training After-Hours Sessions (Burnet)
On-Campus training by campus GATS Contact
Office of Instructional Technology
GATS Contacts:
Stephanie Correa, ext. 124
Laura Lopez, , ext. 127
Make sure they know there are two classes- GATS for Teachers and GATS for Administrators- they should sign up for GATS for Teachers

28. Have a Great Year!
“The important thing is not so much that every child should be taught, as that every child should be given the wish to learn.” John Lubbock