3200 -GRADING SYSTEM
The policy of the Board of Education is to strive for a consistent and just evaluation of each student in the Durham Public Schools. To ensure the effectiveness of this policy, the Board of Education endorses these beliefs and best practices.
- Students’ grades should reflect their academic achievement.
- While attendance and behavior may influence a student’s learning, they should be reported separately, not included in the student’s grade.
- Teachers should compare each student’s performance against pre-set standards, not against the performance of other students.
- For missing work, teachers should provide reasonable opportunities to complete make-up assignment(s) in order to demonstrate the targeted learning in keeping with Policy 4104, Makeup Work.
- Teachers should provide students and their parents with a clear explanation of their grading practices including the weighting of formative and summative assessments and rubrics as appropriate.
- All assessments and assignments, including teacher-made tests should be aligned with the North Carolina Standard Course of Study and be designed to assess student achievement accurately.
3200.1 GRADING PERIOD
The grading and reporting period for grades K-12 shall consist of a nine weeks period of instruction, or as otherwise approved in a school's site-based plan.
3200.2 GRADING SCALE
In all grade levels in which letter and/or numerical grades are given, the grading scale shall be as follows:
- A = 93-100 Excellent
- B = 85-92 Above Average
- C = 77-84 Average
- D = 70-76 Passing
- F = 0-69 No Credit
3200.3 KINDERGARTEN
At the kindergarten level, students shall be evaluated on personal/social growth, work habits, fine motor coordination, and appropriate subject areas as specified in the North Carolina Standard Course of Study. Progress shall be evaluated as follows: satisfactory performance, making progress, improvement needed, and no progress.
3200.4 GRADES 1-5
Progress reports for grades 1 and 2 shall be a descriptive checklist of academic and social skills. Starting in grade 3, letter grades shall be given in math and communications. In grades 4 and 5, letter grades will be given in all appropriate subjects. Parent-teacher conferences are required in grades K-5 by the end of the first grading period, but should be requested earlier for students experiencing significant academic difficulty. A second conference shall be held during the second semester in grades K-5.
3200.5 GRADES 6-12
In grades 6-12, percentage grades will be used on report cards, cumulative folders, and transcripts.
In yearlong courses, for first, second, and third quarter grades, no student will receive lower than a 60. There is no set minimum for fourth quarter or final grades. For semester courses, the first quarter grade will be no lower than a 60; there is no set minimum for second quarter or final grade.
The Superintendent or designee shall implement standardized transcripts in accordance with State law.
3200.6 CREDIT FOR HIGH SCHOOL COURSES
For high school level courses, a student shall receive credit toward graduation for courses in which the student earns an average of 70 or above. The student's final grade in all courses shall be determined by calculating 75% of the grade as the course average and 25% of the grade as the final exam. See policy 3230 for a definition of “final exam.” This policy applies to all courses earning credit toward high school graduation with the exception of approved dual enrollment college courses.
3200.7 RIGHT TO APPEAL ACADEMIC GRADES
Parents/guardians shall have the right to request a review of any grade given a child. The first appeal should be made to the child's teacher. Final authority for a grade rests with the student's principal. The principal's decision may be appealed under the Student Grievance Policy.
Cross Reference: Policy 4800, Student Grievances policy
Legal Reference: G.S.115C-288, G.S.116-11(10a).
Adopted Effective: July 1, 1999
Revised Effective: July 1, 2000
Revised Effective: September 28, 2000
Revised Effective: December 7, 2000
Revised Effective: January 27, 2005
Revised Effective: June 17, 2010
