Grading for special education

I’m a high school special education teacher and I constantly struggle with what’s fair and what equitable when grading. I’m in the process of finding a new job and while in the shower tonight (TMI but we all know that’s where we do the best thinking) I was thinking about what my ideal grading policy would be so that it awards effort but also takes into account their actual abilities and progress made.

My current thoughts are 40-50% of their grade is based on formatives/participation/completion basically an effort grade. Then like 30-40% is tests but I’d love to base it on growth rather than outcome like a kid who had a 30% on pre and post has not shown any growth. But then I think about the kids that score a 70% on pre who aren’t going to show as much growth either and shouldn’t be penalized for remembering more. So that’s kind of where I’m stuck. Does anyone have suggestions? Or does anyone have a grading practice they think accurately awards kids for effort but also shows knowledge base?

Also I know my percentages don’t add to 100%. I have to leave room for midterm/finals.