BoardDocs Agenda Item: 6.02 Review of Grading Regulations - Recommendation to approve option 2., change weights only, as recommended by the Superintendent (S; work session scheduled 1/12/09; action scheduled 1/22/09)

		Agenda Item
6.02 Review of Grading Regulations - Recommendation to approve option 2., change weights only, as recommended by the Superintendent (S; work session scheduled 1/12/09; action scheduled 1/22/09)
Meeting:	01/08/2009 Regular Meeting No. 11
Category:	6. New Business - 9:10 p.m.
Agenda Type:	Information

Agenda Item Content

Staff Contact: Jack Dale, Division Superintendent

Meeting Type: January 8, 2009 - Regular Meeting No. 11

SUBJECT: Review of Grading Regulations

TYPE: New Business

RELATED TO: Student Achievement Goal 1

BACKGROUND:

Some parents have raised concerns about whether FCPS methods of computing grades and applying weights for advanced courses are adversely affecting FCPS applicants for college admissions, honors program placements, and merit-based scholarship awards. FCPS staff has collaborated with a group representing those parents to conduct a joint investigation into the issue. The resulting report summarizes facts surrounding colleges’ and universities’ consideration of student applications. Its intent is to provide a basis for the School Board’s review of current grading procedures and governing regulations.

KEY POINTS:

1. GPAs computed on 10-point scales are higher than those of FCPS graduates, especially when greater weights are applied to advanced courses.

2. Changing scales could increase GPAs for more students across a range of GPAs.

3. Changing the weights will increase GPAs for students who complete more honors and Advanced Placement/International Baccalaureate (AP/IB) courses.

4. Grades in core courses, rigor of curriculum, number of advanced courses, SAT/ACT scores, and weighted GPA are identified as the most important factors in college admissions.

5. Standardized test scores and weighted GPAs are the two most important considerations in merit-based scholarship awards and honors program placements.

6. The weights most commonly seen by admissions officers are 0.5 points for honors and 1.0 points for AP/IB courses.

OPTIONS:

Option 1: No action
Option 2: Change weights only (0.5 for honors and 1.0 for AP/IB, and dual enrollment)
Option 3: Change scale only (10-point)
Option 4: Change both

RECOMMENDATION:

That the School Board approve Option 2., change weights only, as recommended by the Superintendent.

Option 2 enables FCPS to maintain high academic standards while recognizing and rewarding students who choose to take the most rigorous courses. Option 3 lowers performance expectations and grading standards, and would not substantively address decisions on merit scholarship or honors at the time of admission. Option 1 does not address the merit scholarship or honors at admissions issue, but does maintain high academic standards and performance expectations.

The Superintendent recommends implementing increased weighting for AP/IB courses retroactively on all transcripts issued at the end of the first semester of this school year. Increased weights for honors classes would begin with courses taken prospectively with the 2009-10 school year. It is possible to implement both changes for the 2009-10 school year, but a delay would eliminate the possibility of benefiting some current seniors seeking merit scholarships or, honors at admissions.

Attachments: Fairfax County Public Schools: An Investigation of the Grading Policy

PowerPoint presentation

Regulation 2430.5 P, High School Teacher’s Guide: Grading and Reporting to Parents
Regulation 2462.5, Point Average and Class Rank