Administrative Procedure 5121.2 - Grading and Reporting for Middle Schools Grade 6 through Grade 8

Table of Contents

• Purpose
• Policy
• Rationale
• Course of Study Syllabus
• Grading Elements
• Grading Categories
• Reporting and Recording Grades
• Learning Management System
• Grading - Absences
• Determining Final Grades
• Grade Point Average (GPA)
• Honor Roll
• Progress Reports
• Report Cards
• Parent Conferences
• Outstanding Obligations for Educational Materials
• Students Receiving Special Education Services
• Students Receiving English Language Development (ELD) Services
• Transfer Students
• Dropped Courses
• Repeated Courses
• Procedures for Appeal/Authorization of Grade Change
• Printing and Requests for Reprints
• Monitoring and Compliance
• Related Procedures and Information
• Legal Reference
• Maintenance and Update Of These Procedures
• Cancellations and Supersedures
• Effective Date

Purpose

The purpose of Administrative Procedure 5121.2 is to provide guidance to administrators and teachers in the implementation of the grading and reporting systems to be used in all middle schools and centers in Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS). Principals or their designees are responsible for reviewing procedures with staff and ensuring that grading and reporting policies are applied consistently within their school.

COMAR (Code of Maryland Regulations) 13A.03.02.08 states that each local school system shall develop a written policy on grading and reporting.

Policy

Each local school system will file its grading and reporting policies with the State Superintendent of Schools. The following procedures have been developed according to COMAR. (Board Policy 5121)

The Board of Education (Board) believes that all students can learn and achieve at high levels, that rigorous performance standards and achievement standards are essential components of developing and delivering quality instruction, and that regular assessment is an important component of an effective teaching and learning environment and an important tool in measuring students’ learning. (Board Policy 5121)

As PGCPS transitions into a new student information system, terminology and processes are subject to change.

Rationale

1. Grading and promotion within PGCPS will be based upon the degree of success an individual student has achieved in completing the educational program designed to meet their unique needs.
2. Every student will have the opportunity to earn grades that reflect their ability to demonstrate learning outcomes and be graded only in accordance with their achievement on material or information based on specified learning outcomes and approved curricula.
3. The bell curve will not be used as a basis for determining student grades.
4. Grades will be based on class work, independent assignments, and assessments.

Course of Study Syllabus

Within the first ten (10) school days of each course, teachers shall provide to students and parents/guardians (hereinafter “parent(s)”), via online access or hard copy, a written course outline, syllabus, or overview of grade/course expectations including grading procedures, grading categories, and weight assigned to each category. Course outlines, syllabi or overviews of a grade/course expectations can be found on curricula guides and curriculum staff portal sites.

Grading Elements

1. The grades eligible for use on assignments, assessments, and report cards are A, B, C, D, E, I, P, F, and W, with no plus or minus signs. Interpretations of letter grades are as follows:
   A = Excellent progress toward meeting course objectives and learning outcomes (90-100%).
   B = Above average progress toward meeting course objectives and learning outcomes (80-89%).
   C = Average progress toward meeting course objectives and learning outcomes (70-79%).
   D = Below Average progress toward meeting course objectives and learning outcomes (60-69%).
   E = Failure toward meeting course objectives and learning outcomes (below 60%). I = Incomplete. The “I” grade may only be used temporarily for secondary students who have been lawfully absent from school and have not had an opportunity to make up missed work in a timely manner.
   N = No Grade. The “N” grade may be used only for transfer students from outside of PGCPS.
   P = Pass (credit bearing) only used for Alt (alternate education courses), TAP (Tests of Achievement and Proficiency), or by approval of the Chief Academic Officer.
   F = Fail (not credit bearing) only used for Alt (alternate education courses) or by approval of the Chief Academic Officer.
   W = Withdrawn. The Student Intervention Team agrees to allow a student to drop a course after 20 school days from the start of a year-long course or ten (10) days in a semester course.
2. Categories used to determine student grades must include the following items:
   1. Class Work
   2. Independent Assignments
   3. Assessment

Grading Categories

General characteristics for INDEPENDENT ASSIGNMENTS, CLASS WORK, and ASSESSMENTS are as follows: for all categories, teachers should make a connection to previous or current content standards and provide feedback that is prompt, specific, understandable to the student, and formed to allow for self-adjustment on the student’s part.

INDEPENDENT ASSIGNMENTS have the following characteristics:

• Intended to be completed separately from the teacher (e., opportunities for independent practice).
• Aligned to a previously taught skill or concept and used for review, practice, enrichment, or completion of Students have the chance to apply what they learn in the classroom. Independent assignments usually reinforce previously taught skills and may prepare students for future lessons; and
• In middle school, assignments are due on the next day of scheduled classes and should not be required for submission the day following school being closed.

CLASS WORK has the following characteristics:

• Intended to be completed with the teacher available to observe, answer questions, and/or interact with students while completing work, or separately by the student during an independent module/break.
• Intended to involve interaction among students with their peers;
• Intended for the majority of the assignment to be completed during class time;
• Aligned to a previously taught skill or concept and/or used for review, practice, enrichment, completion of work or preparation for a future lesson; and
• Can be completed during or outside of school hours

ASSESSMENTS have the following characteristics:

• Intended to measure the successful acquisition of learning and/or mastery of a set of standards;
• Aligned to a previously taught skill or concept and used for review, practice, enrichment, or completion of work unless in the instance of diagnostics;
• Intended to be completed with or without teacher observation;
• Intended to allow students to demonstrate mastery in various modalities and formats; and
• Differentiated so that all students can experience success and work independently.

ASSESSMENTS have the following characteristics:

• Intended to measure the successful acquisition of learning and/or mastery of a set of standards;
• Aligned to a previously taught skill or concept and used for review, practice, enrichment, or completion of work unless in the instance of diagnostics;
• Intended to be completed with or without teacher observation;
• Intended to allow students to demonstrate mastery in various modalities and formats; and
• Differentiated so that all students can experience success and work independently.

Reporting and Recording Grades

1. Reporting
   1. In quarterly reporting to parents, a letter grade is used to indicate the performance of each student in relation to the attainment of learning outcomes and approved curricula.
   2. Students and/or parents may request one additional opportunity to improve a score on each individual qualifying assessment, activity, or assignment that demonstrates knowledge of course content, skills, and The higher grade shall be the grade of record. An assessment, activity or assignment is considered qualifying if the following criteria are met:
      1. ) The student completed and submitted the original assessment, activity, or assignment by the due date.
      2. ) The student participated in the teacher-facilitated re-teaching (before, during, or after school) within five (5) school days following the return of the original graded work. The intention of re-teaching is to promote student learning of the material. Re-teaching may include, but is not limited to, feedback on the original task/assessment, additional tasks assigned by teacher, study packet, review session, whole or small-group instruction, computer tutorial, peer tutoring, or attending school or content-specific study sessions. The re-teaching does not have to be face-to-face.
      3. ) Within ten (10) school days of receiving the returned original graded work, the student completed and resubmitted the new assessment, activity, or assignment.
      4. ) Final research reports and projects that culminate a unit of study, or final semester or marking period exams, may not be reassessed. If the teacher determines that other class work, independent assignments, or assessments are not eligible for reassessment, that must be identified in writing at the time of original assignment.
      5. ) Make up work can be submitted only up to the fifth school day prior to the end of the quarter to ensure teachers have time to grade all outstanding work.
   3. A grade for each subject will be recorded on the report card for each student enrolled for 21 days or more after the start of the quarter.
   4. General Education teachers must work collaboratively with Special Education Case Managers to review grades of students with disabilities in order to support student learning needs and to monitor and report student progress accurately.
   5. When a course is added to a school’s course master after the first day of school, the scheduler will create course sections for the course, update grading patterns and contact Student Applications to update the gradebook for the newly created sections.
2. Recording
   
   Teachers will maintain a record of each student’s work, progress, and attendance in the student information system on a daily basis.
   1. Teachers and schools will maintain records of student progress. It is expected that teachers will enter graded student work into their electronic grade book and return that work to students within ten (10) school days of the due date of submission of the assignment. However, it is recognized that to provide meaningful feedback to students, teachers may not be able to read/review and post the grade within ten (10) school days, and, on those assignments, teachers may provide written notice on the rubric or assignment with a projected date that grades will be returned to students. Make up work can be submitted only up to the fifth school day prior to the end of the quarter to ensure teachers have time to grade all outstanding work.
   2. Assignment grades can be synced from the learning management system (LMS) to the student information system or entered into the student information system.
   3. If lawfully absent students return to school near the end of the first, second, or third marking period and do not have sufficient time to make up the missed work, an “I” (incomplete) grade will be assigned. The “I” must be resolved by the next marking period. The “I” cannot be recorded in the 4th quarter. The “I” is a placeholder with no grade point average value.
   4. Teachers must assess a variety of student performances such as written assignments, independent assignments, projects, class work, quizzes, tests, and end of quarter/course examinations. Teachers shall assign a minimum grade of 50% to assignments or assessments for which the student completed the entire assignment and made a good faith effort. Good faith effort is evidenced by the student displaying persistence, striving for accuracy, time on task, and/or trying an alternative method to solve a problem (which might not be accurate). It is also a display of thinking as a student works to sort through ideas, apply context or figure out how to solve problems. If a student does no work on an assignment, the teacher shall assign a grade of zero.
   5. Principals (or their designees) are responsible for overseeing the entry of numerical grades per week in the student information system.
      1. ) The classroom teacher must record a minimum number of numerical grades per week in each subject per this chart:

         Meeting Frequency (number of sessions per week)	Minimum number of grades to be recorded each week
         3-5 sessions	2
         1-2 sessions	1

      2. ) Grades must be recorded quarterly in each category (class work, independent assignments, and assessments). A minimum of four (4) grades must be recorded in grading categories of 20% or greater weight each quarterly marking period. If a course meets only once a week, the minimum of four (4) grades must be recorded in grading categories of the highest weight.
   6. Teachers must return graded papers and assignments within ten (10) school days of submission to provide on-going, timely feedback to students and parents. A portfolio assessment of each student’s work is recommended as additional documentation of student performance.
   7. Teachers will grade and give a score for student assignments.
   8. A student will receive a zero for assignments, tests, or quizzes when any of the following occurs:
      1. ) A student has cheated on a test, quiz, or assigned project
      2. ) A student fails to produce work within an assigned timeframe.
      3. ) A student who has been lawfully absent fails to produce make-up work in a reasonable timeframe.
      4. ) A student has been unlawfully absent.
      5. ) A student does not demonstrate satisfactory progress at the level of instruction indicated (below 60%).
   9. Grades will not include systemic assessments that are a part of benchmarking measures.
   10. A consistent grading scale must be used when entering assignment scores.
       1. ) Teachers must enter the assignment score and earned scores.
       2. ) Since PGCPS uses a weighted gradebook, the student information system will automatically calculate both the percentage for the individual assignment and the weighted percentage for the entire category.
       3. ) Teachers must never mix entry types within a category (percentages, whole numbers). Combining the two in a gradebook skews the data.
   11. A change to the grade that occurs after the marking period ends but before the grading window closes shall be called a “grade override.” The grade resulting from the change shall be called the “new grade.” The grade initially recorded but later changed shall be called the “old grade.” In the event a student’s quarter grade needs to be adjusted, a teacher may override the calculated grade. Override grades should not be lower than the calculated grade.
       
       Grade Overrides Permissible - If the following conditions are met, Grade Overrides are permissible:
       1) The teacher has complied with grading and reporting procedures; 2) The new grade more accurately reflects the student’s performance during the grading period than does the old grade; and 3) The teacher can support the change by producing, upon request, sufficient documentation to show the new grade more accurately reflects the student’s performance than the old grade. The teacher is required to retain for one (1) additional school year and make available for inspection any and all documents and/or materials that the teacher contends support the grade override.
       
       Grade Override Prohibition - Grade overrides may not be used to mitigate the result of a teacher’s failure to comply with grading and/or reporting procedures and/or a teacher’s failure to comply with grade change procedures. In cases of an error, teachers are required to follow the grade change process. (See Administrative Procedure 5116)
       
       
   12. In the event of extenuating circumstances occurring at the end of the course, individual students may be exempted from final examinations upon the recommendation of the teacher and with the written approval of the Principal and the Instructional Director.
3. Entry of Grades
   
   Teachers must adhere to the grade reporting timeline as published annually.
   1. All students in an assigned teacher’s course must receive a grade during the end of the quarter grading window if enrolled 21 or more days in the course.
   2. Principals, or their designees, are responsible for ensuring that all grades are submitted prior to the closing of the grading window.
   3. Grade managers are responsible for identifying teachers who fail to post grades prior to and after the closing of the window. The grade manager must run a “Failure to Post” report and submit it to the Principal within 48 hours following report card grading windows.
   4. Principals, or their designees, are responsible for storing a “Failure to Post” report for a period of four (4) years in the Principal’s office.
   5. After the closing of the grading window but prior to the grade manager reporting that the grading file is “ready to print,” the grade manager must complete a Post-Cutoff-Date Correction entry for students whose grades were not reported during the grading window. The grade manager must collect documentation demonstrating how these grades were provided and include it when submitting the “failure to post” form.
   6. After the grade manager has reported the grade file is “ready to print,” all subsequent grade changes must occur using the electronic PS-140 form. For more information regarding the grade change process, see Administrative Procedure 5116 (Grade Change Authorization and Appeals).

Learning Management System

1. Student information system generated courses in the learning management system (LMS) are populated with the Gradebook Category names aligned with AP 5121.2 When creating assignments for student use, only use the grading categories provided: INDEPENDENT ASSIGNMENTS, CLASS WORK, ASSESSMENTS.
2. Teachers who are utilizing the LMS integration with the student information system for grading must reference the LMS Grading Guidance posted for teachers on the internal website explaining grading procedures.

Grading - Absences

Refer to Administrative Procedure 5113 Attendance.

Determing Final Grades (6-8)

1. Courses are scheduled for a quarter (9 weeks), semester (18 weeks) or full year (36 weeks) depending on the school model.
2. For semester and year-long courses, all quarter grades will be given equal weight when computing final grades. In quarter-long courses, the final grade will be the same as the quarter grade.
3. In averaging grades, the letter grades for all quarters are translated to the traditional four-point scale. The average grade is computed by adding the numerical equivalents for all letter grades and dividing by the number of grading quarters.
4. Grade 6 in elementary schools will follow the same grading procedures for determining grades as Grade 6 located in middle schools. The following will not be included in the elementary Grade 6 determination for grades: Oral and Written Communication, Reading Level, Social Skills, and Work Habits.
5. The grading scale for final grades is as follows:
   A = 3.5-4.0 or higher     B = 2.5-3.49     C = 1.5-2.49     D = 0.5-1.49     E = 0.0-0.49

Grade Point Average (GPA)

1. The following numerical equivalents will be used in computing the GPA from report card letter grades:
   Non-Honors   A = 4.00    B = 3.00    C = 2.00    D = 1.00    E = 0.00
   Honors           A = 4.50    B = 3.50    C = 2.50    D = 1.50    E = 0.00
2. Weighted refers to courses receiving a numerical advantage in calculating GPA, an additional 0.5 points added to the grade value for honors courses. Weighted credit will only be applied to honors courses that are eligible in PGCPS effective school year 2016-2017 and after.
   
   The following grades are not included in GPA calculations: “F”, “I”, “N”, “P”, “W”.
   
   
3. Three (3) GPAs are computed for secondary students in PGCPS.
   1. A quarterly GPA will appear on each quarterly report card. It is derived by performing the following procedure:
      1. ) The credit value of each course receiving an A, B, C, D, or E for the quarter will be divided by the number of quarterly grades that the course receives during the year (quarterly credit).
      2. ) For each course receiving an A, B, C, D, or E, the quarterly credit will be multiplied by the grade points awarded for that course.
      3. ) The sum of the products will be divided by the sum of quarterly credits.
   2. A final, end-of-year GPA will appear on the final report card, the student record card, and the computer printed student record card. It is derived by performing the following procedure:
      1. ) The sum of the products of the quality points awarded in each attempted course is multiplied by the credit value in the same course.
      2. ) The sum of those products is divided by the sum of the credits attempted.
   3. A cumulative GPA is calculated for all courses bearing credit and appears on the computer printed student record card in the summary section, provided that the student’s history file is current. It is derived by performing the following procedure:
      1. ) The sum of the products of the grade points awarded in each attempted course (receiving an A, B, C, D, or E) is multiplied by the credit value in the same course.
      2. ) The sum of all credits is divided by the sum of all credits attempted. This includes world language and mathematics credits and grades awarded in middle school through the High School Credit for Middle School Coursework plan.
   1.  

Honor Roll

1. The purpose of the district-wide honor roll program is to recognize and honor middle school students who have attained outstanding academic success and to provide positive reinforcement that inspires all students to strive even harder and perform at their highest level in all subjects.
2. All schools will implement this honor roll system that recognizes students for high academic achievement at the end of each marking period during the school year. Schools are required to recognize students for performance at two levels: Principal’s Honor Roll and Honor Roll.
3. Students qualifying for each level of honor roll will be identified by the Department of Student Applications based on grades entered on student report cards in middle schools. The following criteria will be used to identify students at each level:
   1. Principal’s Honor Roll: Students with at least a 4.0 GPA.
   2. Honor Roll: Students with at least a 3.0 GPA

Progress Reports

1. 1. An interim progress report must be issued to all students at the middle of each quarter. Teachers may also issue additional interim progress reports to indicate a significant change in student attainment of learning outcomes or to encourage students to continue their satisfactory progress. Further, individual schools may decide to issue interim progress reports with even greater frequency on their own but not using the student information system.
2. Teachers must notify parents in writing when their child is in danger of failing at any time during the grading period, even if the Interim Progress Report period established by the school system has passed. Additional communication should be provided to parents if a student receives more than one letter grade reduction between quarters. Students will receive the grade earned, regardless of notification.

Report Cards

1. Report cards for middle schools will be distributed on a quarterly basis regardless of the scheduling model used.
2. The following information will appear on the secondary report card:
   1. School Name
   2. Course Titles
   3. Course Grades Earned
   4. Assessment Status
   5. Student Grade Level
   6. Absences from School
   7. Tardiness from School
   8. Teachers’ Names
   9. ELD Courses
   10. Comment
   11. Service Learning Hours Status

Parent Conferences

1. By the end of the first grading period, teachers in secondary schools will identify those students whose progress suggests that a parent conference should be conducted in the best interest of the student and their achievement and school performance. Teachers will recommend a conference to the parent and may refer the parent to the Professional School Counselor for scheduling.
2. Parent conferences are encouraged at any time during the school year if the conference will enhance the parent’s understanding of and support for their child’s schoolwork and school performance.

Outstanding Obligations for Educational Materials

The student is responsible for paying for any educational materials such as textbooks or laptops assigned to them that are not returned or are damaged. Reimbursement fees for lost or damaged educational materials collected by the school must be remitted to the PGCPS Accounting Office. At the end of each school year, school staff will provide notification to the parent that an obligation is owed. For students who are on Free and Reduced Meals, parents may request a fee waiver for a portion of the cost. Report cards and final grades may not be withheld due to outstanding financial obligations. We strongly encourage all financial obligations to be fulfilled before a student’s senior year.

Students Receiving Special Education Services

1. Federal law requires that Individualized Education Program (IEP) teams develop IEPs for all students who receive special education and related services. The IEP goals and objectives are based on student needs and should be designed to allow the student to progress in the general education curriculum, as appropriate, with the identified supports and accommodations.
2. Teachers will implement the accessibility features and accommodations that have been documented in the student’s (IEP. Accommodations and Accessibility Features must be selected on the basis of the individual student’s needs and must be used consistently for daily classroom instruction, classroom assessments, and local and state assessments. The Maryland Assessment, Accessibility, and Accommodations Policy Manual provides guidance for selecting the appropriate accommodation. The student shall not receive a lower grade on class assignments, projects, tests and/or quizzes as result of receiving their approved accommodation and modification documented in the student’s IEP. In the event a student with a disability is in jeopardy of failing a subject, an IEP meeting must be held to review and revise the IEP as appropriate.
3. There is no waiver for the physical education credit requirement. However, there are modifications one may make based on physical limitations or disabilities. Students may participate in a modified program of physical education based upon individual needs. This requires an individual program be adapted to assist students with any modifications necessary. This program would have to be approved by the physical education teacher, supervisor, and Adapted Physical Education Office for these modifications to be developed.
4. Students with disabilities who are working toward a diploma will:
   1. Have access to instructional and assessment accommodations in both general and special education settings, as specified on the IEP, to allow them to progress in the general education curriculum;
   2. Receive grades based on progress in the general curriculum, with accommodations, as identified on the IEP;
   3. Receive the same report card as is used in general education and
   4. Receive a report of progress related to IEP goals and objectives, in addition to the report card.
5. General and special educators who are teaching in a co-taught class will jointly determine the grades for students with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
6. If the special educator or related service provider is the designated primary instructor for a subject, they will determine the grade in that subject area.
7. Students with significant cognitive disabilities, who are working toward a Maryland Certificate of Program Completion, shall be instructed, assessed and graded on alternate academic outcomes that are linked to the Maryland College and Career Ready State Standards requiring substantial adaptation and modification of grade- level content in the general education curriculum. Students will receive a report of progress related to IEP goals and objectives in addition to the report card.

Students Receiving English Language Development (ELD) Services

1. Title III of the Every Student Succeeds Act requires that Multilingual Learners (MLs) make progress with their
   English Language Proficiency, attain English proficiency, and meet the same challenging state academic content and student achievement standards as all children are expected to meet.
2. Teachers will implement the accommodations that have been documented in the student’s Accommodations Documentation for Multilingual Learners. Accommodations must be selected on the basis of the individual student’s English proficiency level and must be used consistently for daily instruction and local and state mandated assessments (Maryland Accommodations Manual, MSDE).
3. Students receiving ELD services will:
   1. Have access to instructional modifications and assessment accommodations in both the general education classroom and ELD classroom, as specified in the Accommodations Documentation for ML Students, to allow them to make academic progress in both settings;
   2. Receive grades based on performance on activities and classroom assessments appropriate to the language proficiency level of the student. MLs cannot receive a failing grade based solely on their English proficiency; and
   3. Receive the same report card as is used in general education.
4. Content area teachers and ELD teachers must collaborate throughout the quarter and determine instructional modifications as appropriate.

Transfer Students
Students Entering PGCPS From Out of District

1. Accredited/Approved School Transfers
   1. For students who transfer into PGCPS from an accredited/approved school during a marking period, the classroom teacher will average any officially documented grades from the accredited/approved school with grades earned in PGCPS for a similar course to determine a marking period grade. These circumstances may require a grade override for which documentation must be on file. (See Administrative Procedure 5116) PGCPS does not record the final grades from sending elementary or middle schools on the PGCPS student information system with the exception of high school credit courses.
   2. b. Students entering PGCPS with marking period grades from an accredited/approved school will receive the grades as earned from the other school system where equivalent grades are available in PGCPS (see Grading Elements above). PGCPS personnel cannot alter or make annotation to official records provided by other accredited/approved schools or school systems. Parents and students are encouraged to submit the records for each school system attended when providing records to other entities.
   3. Under the direction of the Office of Professional School Counseling, schools will update the records of each student who enters the school system without quarter grades as best they can with the available information. It will be the responsibility of the school registrar to request the student records including an official transcript from the sending school. The Professional School Counselor will then award grades based on the official transcript review. After a thorough search, if no grades can be located then the student may be registered in accordance with Administrative Procedure 5111 (Registration and Withdrawal of Students).
   4. The N grade may be used for transfer students only when grades cannot be obtained. The enrollment date determines the action taken to enter grades for the transfer student (see chart below). For any student receiving a final grade of N, the Professional School Counselor must determine if the course should be repeated to meet graduation requirements. The final grade N has zero credit value.
      

      
      Example of N for Year Long Course

      	Quarter 1		Quarter 2		Quarter 3		Quarter 4		Final Grade
      	Progress Report	Quarter Grade	Progress Report	Quarter Grade	Progress Report	Quarter Grade	Progress Report	Quarter Grade
      Enrolls after 1st quarter and be- fore 2nd quarter progress report grades publish	N (entered by Grade Manager)	N (entered by Grade Manager)	(published from grade book)	D (published from grade book)	(published from grade book)	B (published from grade book)	(published from grade book)	B (published from grade book)	C
      Enrolls 2nd quarter after progress report grades publish	N (entered by Grade Manager)	N (entered by Grade Manager)	N (entered by Grade Manager)	N (overridden by teacher)	(published from grade book)	B (published from grade book)	(published from grade book)	B (published from grade book)	N
      Enrolls 3rd quarter before progress report grades publish	N (entered by Grade Manager)	N (entered by Grade Manager)	N (entered by Grade Manager)	N (entered by Grade Manager)	(published from grade book)	B (published from grade book)	(published from grade book)	B (published from grade book)	N
      Enrolls 3rd quarter after progress report grades publish	N (entered by Grade Manager)	N (entered by Grade Manager)	N (entered by Grade Manager)	N (entered by Grade Manager)	N (entered by Grade Manager)	N (overridden by teacher)	(published from grade book)	B (published from grade book)	N
      Enrolls 4th quarter before progress report grades publish	N (entered by Grade Manager)	N (entered by Grade Manager)	N (entered by Grade Manager)	N (entered by Grade Manager)	N (entered by Grade Manager)	N (entered by Grade Manager)	(published from grade book)	B (published from grade book)	N
      Enrolls 4th quarter after progress report grades publish	N (entered by Grade Manager)	N (entered by Grade Manager)	N (entered by Grade Manager)	N (entered by Grade Manager)	N (entered by Grade Manager)	N (entered by Grade Manager)	N (entered by Grade Manager)	N (overridden by teacher)	N

       

      Example of N for First Semester Course

      Transfer student	Quarter 1		Quarter 2
      	Progress Report	Quarter Grade	Progress Report	Quarter Grade	Final Grade
      Enrolls 1st quarter before progress report grades publish	(published from grade book)	D (published from grade book)	(published from grade book)	B (published from grade book)	C
      Enrolls 1st quarter after progress report grades publish	N (entered by Grade Manager)	N (overridden by teacher)	(published from grade book)	B (published from grade book)	N
      Enrolls 2nd quarter before progress report grades publish	N (entered by Grade Manager)	N (entered by Grade Manager)	(published from grade book)	B (published from grade book)	N
      Enrolls 2nd quarter after progress report grades publish	N (entered by Grade Manager)	N (entered by Grade Manager)	N (entered by Grade Manager)	N (overridden by teacher)	N

       

      Example of N for Second Semester Course

      Transfer student	Quarter 3		Quarter 4
      	Progress Report	Quarter Grade	Progress Report	Quarter Grade	Final Grade
      Enrolls 3rd quarter before progress report grades publish	(published from grade book)	D (published from grade book)	(published from grade book)	B (published from grade book)	C
      Enrolls 3rd quarter after progress report grades publish	N (entered by Grade Manager)	N (overridden by teacher)	(published from grade book)	B (published from grade book)	N
      Enrolls 4th quarter before progress report grades publish	N (entered by Grade Manager)	N (entered by Grade Manager)	(published from grade book)	B (published from grade book)	N
      Enrolls 4th quarter after progress report grades publish	N (entered by Grade Manager)	N (entered by Grade Manager)	N (entered by Grade Manager)	N (overridden by teacher)	N

      
      
      
   5. Transfer grades where the grading scale is different from PGCPS will be converted to PGCPS equivalencies. (For example, when a student arrives with a transfer grade of 65 and the report card indicates that 65 is a Failing graded (E/F), the student’s grade is converted to an E in PGCPS.)
2. International Transfers: Only the counselors of the International Student Admissions and Enrollment Office (ISAEO) evaluate international student records for student placement and the awarding of credit.
3. A parent who desires to enroll a child in PGCPS from home schooling shall complete the Home Schooling Transfer form and have the form endorsed by the Home Schooling Office. The parent will take the completed Home Schooling Transfer form to enroll the student in public school. (See Administrative Procedure 5113.5)
   Students who have taken online courses without pre-approval must provide evidence and a online courses to the Professional School Counselor who must send a request for review with the evidence and description to the appropriate department within the Division of Academics before credit can be granted to the student.
4. Questions about transfer students’ grades should be referred to the Office of Professional School Counselors.

Dropped Courses

1. When a student withdraws from a credit-bearing course on or after the first day of the beginning of a course, Form PS-141 (Course Withdrawal form) must be completed in all cases.
2. A student may not withdraw from a course after 20 school days in a year-long course (ten (10) school days in a semester course). Exceptional cases will be referred to the school principal for review and final determination.
3. If a student drops a course within the first 20 school days in a year-long course (ten (10) school days in a semester course), there will be no record of the course or grade on any official school system documents.
4. In exceptional cases where the school principal has determined that a student may withdraw from a course after the 20th school day (ten (10) school days in a semester course), the school principal or principal’s designee will complete the Course Withdrawal Request form, PS-141 and the grade recorded will be a “W.”
5. Grades from dropped courses may be transferred by teachers only to new courses of the same content area.

Repeated Courses

1. Except in specific cases, such as most electives, if a student repeats a high school credit-bearing course then the higher attempt will be the grade of record.
2. If a student repeats a course, school personnel must go into the student information system and set the first course’s earned credit to zero, attempted credit to zero, and the flag to exclude to “yes,” then the first course is excluded from the GPA. The grade and the course remain on the transcript. The higher of the two grades will be the grade of record. (Note: If the second attempt is a lower grade than the first attempt, school personnel will change the credit back to the first attempt for the course and the flag for the second attempt to “Yes” so that it is excluded from the GPA.)
3. If a student has earned high school credit for a course taken and passed in middle school and/or high school, the course may not be repeated in high school without written consent from the parent or guardian. This written consent must be kept in the student’s cumulative folder for future review if necessary.
4. This procedure does not require schools to accommodate students who desire to repeat courses during the school day. Courses may be repeated through credit recovery or Summer School. The principal or designee should work with the student and counselor to review all requests. The principal or designee must give final approval to any student who requests or is in need of a repeat class. Refer to Administrative Procedure 5182 (Educational Online Program) for additional information.

Procedures for Grade Appeal Authorization of Grade Change Refer to A.P. 5116

Challenges to report card grades must be appealed in writing within five (5) school days of the release of report cards by the parent, Appeals and Grade Change Authorization are addressed in AP 5116; please refer to that administrative procedure for details regarding these actions.

Printing and Requests for Reprints

TThe Information Technology technician in each school will coordinate progress report and report card reprints with the Help Desk and the Help Desk will inform Student Applications. Requests for reprints must include the reason for the reprint, the Area Office for the school, and the preference for reprint by school or by grade level.

Monitoring and Compliance

In an effort to ensure that the grading and reporting processes are applied consistently within schools, the following monitoring tools and processes will be utilized annually:

1. Training for all school staff with grading responsibilities will be conducted through a SafeSchools module each school year. A record of staff participation will be provided to the Area Offices.
2. Principals, or their designees, will oversee a process by which an online or hard copy of the course of study/ syllabus for each course is made available to parents by the end of the second week a class/course begins.
3. Principals, or their designees, will utilize student information system reports to ensure that entry of numerical grades per week in the electronic gradebook for each student is in compliance with this administrative procedure.
4. At the mid-way point and at the end of each quarter, Area Office staff will generate a report of all electronic gradebooks with no grades in the class work, independent assignments and/or assessment categories for principal and teacher notification and generate a report of all grades for compliance with this administrative procedure.
5. At the mid-way point and at the end of each quarter, Area Office staff will generate a report of all electronic gradebooks with the N grade to ensure final grade compliance with this administrative procedure.
6. Refer to Administrative Procedure 5113 for monitoring and accountability processes that will be utilized to ensure compliance with the Student Attendance, Absence and Truancy procedure.
7. Refer to Administrative Procedure 5116 for monitoring and accountability processes that will be utilized to ensure compliance with the Grade Change Authorization and Appeals procedure.

Related Administrative Procedures and Information

• Administrative Procedure 5111 Registration and Withdrawal of Students;
• Administrative Procedure 5113, Student Attendance, Absence, and Truancy;
• Administrative Procedure 5113.5, Home Schooling;
• Administrative Procedure 5121.1, Grading and Reporting for Elementary Schools, Early Childhood Through Grade Five;
• Administrative Procedure 5121.3, Grading and Reporting for High Schools, Grade Nine Through Grade Twelve;
• Administrative Procedure 5125, Individual Student School-Based Records;
• Administrative Procedure 5182, Educational Online Program;
• Administrative Procedure 6150, Student Enrollment in Courses and Educational Requirements and Options in Secondary Schools;
• Administrative Procedure 10101, Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook;
• Administrative Procedure 5116, Grade Change Authorization;
• Student Records Guidelines Manual.

Legal Reference

COMAR 13A.03.02.08

Maintenance and Update of This Procedure

The Office of the Chief Academic Officer will be responsible for updating this administrative procedure as needed.

Cancellations and Supersedures

This Administrative Procedure cancels and supersedes Administrative Procedure 5121.2, dated July 1, 2023.

Effective Date

July 1, 2024

About This Procedure

Last Revised: July 1, 2024

Documents

• Administrative Procedure 5121.2 - Grading and Reporting for Middle Schools Grade 6 through Grade 8.pdf