Grading & Assessment
Assessment and Dock's Grading Scale
As a school, we continually examine our assessment practices, including our grading scale. Periodically in the past, the grading scale at the middle and the high school level has come up for review. Integrating two schools into one gave us an opportunity to address this question because the two campus grading scales did not match.
In the Spring of 2018, a group of teachers and administrators met to discuss our grading scale, research what surrounding local schools and other Mennonite schools use for a scale, and discern other questions we had about assessment in general. The ideas of this committee were further tested with faculty and school leadership in the ensuing months.
One of our conclusions was that assessment is an important topic beyond the scale. As a school, we want to be clear about our philosophy and purpose of assessment; we want to be consistent across classes and grades about how we assess; we want to be timely in our feedback to students and in our communication to parents; and we care about high and achievable expectations for all our learners. These elements of assessment are important to us regardless of the scale we use.
In the Fall of 2018, we began discussing these assessment topics at our in-service days and in faculty meetings. Drawing on feedback from parents, students, and faculty from our accreditation surveys, as well as from experts in the field, we worked to align our grading scale with current best, research-based practices in assessment.
The Dock Mennonite Academy Board of Trustees approved a 10-point grading scale starting in the 2018-19 school year for grades 3 to 12. This move aligns us with surrounding local districts, making transfers into our school easier, and our grading scale better understood by colleges and universities. As a school, we are clear that academic rigor is not defined by a scale. Therefore, this shift does not indicate a lessening of standards or expectations. We continue to provide academically excellent and challenging education across our system.
At Dock, letter grades are based on the following scale, beginning in the 2018-19 school year:
|
Grade % |
Letter Grade |
Standard |
Honors* |
AP** |
|
98-100 |
A+ |
4.37 |
4.80 |
5.20 |
|
93-97 |
A |
4.0 |
4.40 |
4.80 |
|
90-92 |
A- |
3.63 |
3.99 |
4.36 |
|
87-89 |
B+ |
3.37 |
3.71 |
4.04 |
|
83-86 |
B |
3.0 |
3.30 |
3.60 |
|
80-82 |
B- |
2.63 |
2.89 |
3.16 |
|
77-79 |
C+ |
2.37 |
2.61 |
2.84 |
|
73-76 |
C |
2.0 |
2.20 |
2.40 |
|
70-72 |
C- |
1.63 |
1.79 |
1.96 |
|
67-69 |
D+ |
1.37 |
1.51 |
1.64 |
|
63-66 |
D |
1.0 |
1.10 |
1.20 |
|
60-62 |
D- |
.63 |
.69 |
.76 |
|
Below 60 |
F |
0 |
0 |
0 |
* 1.1 multiplier for Honors
** 1.2 multiplier for AP
Calculating GPA
The use of Grade Points is a numeric way of communicating the value of a letter grade. A student's official cumulative G.P.A. is calculated at the end of each school year. The G.P.A. is computed by multiplying the final course grade's numerical points times the assigned course credit (see grading scale above). The sum is referred to as the quality points. The sum of the quality points is then divided by the total number of credits attempted, which will gives the G.P.A. Weighted classes use a multiplier of 1.1 for Honors classes, and 1.2 for AP classes. See the example below.
Calculation formula: Grade Points X Weight X Credit = G.P.A
Total Attempted Credits
|
Course |
Grade |
Grade Points |
Weight |
Credit |
Quality Points |
|||
|
Honors English |
C+ |
2.37 |
X |
1.1 |
X |
.50 |
= 1.304 |
|
|
Algebra II |
A |
4.00 |
X |
1.0 |
X |
1.00 |
= 4.00 |
|
|
Social Issues |
B- |
2.63 |
X |
1.0 |
X |
.25 |
= .6575 |
|
|
AP Environmental Science |
A |
4.00 |
X |
1.2 |
X |
.50 |
= 2.40 |
|
|
Culinary Arts |
B+ |
3.37 |
X |
1.0 |
X |
.25 |
= .8425 |
|
|
2.50 |
9.204 |
9.204/2.50 = 3.682 GPA
Report Cards
Students receive report cards four times each year. Each report card covers about a nine-week period of classroom time. The first three report cards are distributed to the students approximately two weeks following the end of the marking period. The final report card is mailed about 10 days after the school year has ended.
Honor Roll
Students who perform well in their school work are recognized by being placed on the school honor roll. To receive honor roll recognition, a student must earn a 3.0 average (B average). Students are not eligible for the honor roll if they receive Progress Grades or any grade lower than a C, or if they withdraw from a class with either a WP or WF. Honor rolls will be published on the school website and on the Rosenberger Kiosk outside of the Guidance Office.
Incompletes
Students are responsible for contacting their teachers regarding any missed work. An Incomplete is given only when there are justifiable reasons for late work. The grade for any assignment not resolved within two weeks of the end of the quarter will automatically become an “F” unless other arrangements are made with the teacher and guidance counselor.
Progress Grades
A Progress Grade indicates that a student is making significant progress according to the evaluation criteria appearing on the course outline, even though the standard levels of achievement have not been attained. Progress Grades are coordinated by the Learning Support and Guidance staff. A student is not eligible to be on honor roll during any quarter a progress grade is received.