Cecil County Public Schools Policies
Book:
Cecil County Public Schools Policies
Section:
I - Instruction
Title:
CLASS RANKINGS
Number:
IKC
Status:
Active
Legal:
Adopted:
04/04/1986
Last Revised:
06/14/2004
Last Reviewed:
06/14/2004
Policy Detail
Related Entries
:
IKAG
Office: ASSOCIATE SUPERINTENDENT FOR EDUCATION SERVICES
CLASS RANKINGS AND DROPPING COURSES
In computing the rank in class, a weighted grade point averages to be used in order to compensate for the fact that certain courses differ substantially from others in their level of academic challenge.
Weighted Grade Point Averages
The weighted grade point average is to be calculated using the following steps:
Calculate the total quality points for each course by determining the grade point value of the grade earned times the number of credits for the course. Use the following grade point values for the calculation: A = 4.0, A- = 3.62, B+ = 3.38, B = 3.0, B- = 2.62, C+ = 2.38, C = 2.0, C- = 1.62, D+ = 1.38, D = 1.0, F = 0, W/P = 0 and W/F = 0.
Calculate the grade point average by dividing the total number of quality points by the total number of credits.
Calculate the weighted factor by multiplying .0350 by the number of credits earned for weighted courses.
Calculate the weighted grade point average by adding the weighted factor to the grade point average.
Weighted Course – those courses whose academic challenge is deemed worthy of receiving differential weighting. Such determination shall be made by the Division of Education Services under the direction of the Associate Superintendent for Education Services.
The list of weighted courses is to be updated annually in order to take into account any changes in the curriculum. This updating should be done by the Division of Education Services under the direction of the Associate Superintendent for Education Services. The updated listing should appear in the Course Selection Guide.
In computing rank in class, all credit-bearing courses in which a grade of A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, F, I or W/F is awarded are to be included. Courses in which a grade of pass/fail, credit/no credit, etc., is assigned are to be excluded.
In computing rank in class, a course may be counted only one time. If a course is repeated due to having failed it before or in order to achieve a higher grade, the higher grade is the only grade that is to be used in computing rank in class.
In computing rank in class, grades earned in grades 9, 10, 11, or 12 in another school are to be included if that school is accredited either by the State Department of Education or by a regional accrediting agency. Courses being accepted for transfer credit which are the same as those included on the list of weighted courses are to be considered as weighted courses. The final decision regarding whether a transfer course is to be considered a weighted course will be made by the Associate Superintendent in Education Services.
When a student is granted permission to make a schedule change, the following guidelines as they relate to rank in class are to be followed:
Rank in class is to be computed at the end of the junior year and again at the end of the senior year. This ranking is to be done for all students seeking a high school diploma. In reporting rank in class, a ratio is to be used; that is, 15 of 87; 37 of 210, etc.
In computing rank in class, grades earned in grades 9, 10, 11 or 12 in another school are to be included if that school is accredited either by the State Department of Education or by a regional accrediting agency. Courses being accepted for transfer credit which are the same as those included on the list of weighted courses are to be considered as weighted courses. The final decision regarding whether a transfer course is to be considered a weighted course will be made by the Associate superintendent of Education Services or his/her designee in collaboration with the appropriate instructional coordinator.
Dropping a one-semester course:
Up to the end of the first 10 school days of a course – a grade of W is to be assigned; the course is not to be included in rank in class calculations, and no credit is given.
After the first 10 school days of a course but prior to the first interim:
• If the student is passing, a grade of W/P (withdrawn while passing) is to be assigned.
• If the student is failing, a grade of W/F (withdrawn while failing) is to be assigned.
After the first interim for a course, a grade of W/F is to be assigned.
Exceptions for cause may be granted by the principal.
Dropping a full-year course:
Up to the end of the first interim period, a grade of W is to be assigned; the course is not to be included in rank in class calculations.
After the first interim period but prior to the end of the first marking period:
• if the student is passing, a grade of W/P is to be assigned.
• if the student is failing, a grade of W/F is to be assigned.
After the start of the second marking period, a grade of W/F is to be assigned.
Exceptions for cause may be granted by the principal.
NOTE: Grades of W/P are not to be calculated into the grade point average or rank in class. Grades of W/F are to be calculated into the grade point average and rank in class. The grade point value of a W/F is zero.
When transferring from a higher level course to a lower level course in the same subject matter area or vice versa, such as from English 9 to English 9 Honors, the grades earned in the one course are to be averaged with the grades in the other to determined the final grade.
