• REPORT CARDS

    Grading/Evaluation of Students

    In support of student success, the Atlanta Board of Education recognizes that providing effective feedback is a powerful strategy to improve student learning and educational outcomes. To this end, the superintendent shall implement and maintain a student evaluation system that is consistent and designed to support the success of each individual student in a rigorous instructional program.

    The purpose of academic grades in the Atlanta Public Schools (APS) is to provide timely feedback to students, parents and teachers about how each student is progressing toward mastering standards. Academic grades in APS shall reflect student mastery of state standards and shall not include behavioral factors. The superintendent shall also establish a separate evaluation of students’ work ethic to communicate about students’ progress toward non-academic goals such as conduct and attendance. The board authorizes the superintendent to issue administrative regulations to implement this policy to ensure a consistent district-wide system of student evaluation of academic grades and students’ progress toward non-academic goals.

    Factors regulating the determination and management of grades include the following:

    1. Schools, utilizing autonomy and flexibility with grading as provided by our district’s governance status, may elect to implement a standards-based evaluation of student mastery with grade-level standards (Beginning Learner, Developing Learner, Proficient Learner, Distinguished Learner).
       
    2. Students in grades 4-12 will receive numeric grades.
       
    3. Pursuant to state law, the minimum passing score will be 70 for all courses taught in grades 4-12.

    In accordance with State Board of Education rules, state End-of-Course (EOC) assessments administered in high school courses must be used as the final examination for the course and must be factored into the final grade for the course in accordance with state board of education rule. Student numerical grades will be based on the following grading scale.
     

    A = 90-100      Distinguished mastery of state standards

    B = 80-89        Proficient mastery of state standards

    C = 70-79        Developing mastery of state standards

    F = 0-69          Beginning mastery of state standards

    NG =               No evaluation at this time.

    High School Grade-Point Averages

    To recognize the additional effort required of students who enroll in Advanced Placement (AP) courses, International Baccalaureate (IB) courses, and college-level courses in core content areas and world languages taken while dually enrolled at an accredited postsecondary institution, 10 points will be added to the final numeric grade for each AP, IB or core dual-enrollment course that is passed with a grade of 70 or above.

    The weighted numeric grade-point average shall be calculated based on all numeric grades earned in grade levels 9 - 12, including grades for all college-level courses taken while dually enrolled at an accredited postsecondary institution. Grades earned for qualifying high school courses taken at the middle-school level shall be included on the transcript, but shall not be factored into the weighted numeric grade-point average for class-ranking purposes.


    Grading Systems - Grading Expectations 

    1. Grading Practices
       
      1. The grade book of record shall be the official Atlanta Public Schools student information system (SIS).
         
      2. Each student should receive a minimum of eight (8) grades per subject each quarter (approximately every 9 weeks for schools on a traditional schedule, every 4.5 weeks for schools on a 4x4 schedule). Students should receive eight (8) grades per quarter course that meets daily.  Grades should be evenly distributed across the grading period in order to consistently reflect student progress towards mastery of the standards.
         
      3. For extended core classes that meet only once per week (e.g. elementary school art, music, physical education and foreign language), students must receive a minimum of one (1) academic grade every two weeks.  Students should receive eight (8) grades per extended core quarter course that meets daily.
         
      4. Final academic grades reported on student report cards should be summative evaluations of the student’s mastery of grade-level state standards.
         
      5. Students who have not yet provided evidence of mastery should have opportunities to receive reteaching and be reassessed prior to final grades being entered. This may occur during regular instructional time, during “lunch and learn” sessions, or at other times when students are able to attend that are not disruptive to required instruction.          
         
      6. Schools, utilizing autonomy and flexibility with grading as provided by our district’s governance policy, may elect to implement standards based grading in grades K-3. Students in grades K-3 enrolled in these schools shall receive a performance-based evaluation of their mastery of the grade-level standards based on the following scale:
         
        • Beginning Learner
           
        • Developing Learner
           
        • Proficient Learner
           
        • Distinguished Learner
        1. Students should not receive a grade of zero (0) for behavioral reasons such as failure to complete or hand in assignments. Students who have not provided evidence of mastery should have an opportunity to redo the assignment. If necessary, supervision may be provided.
           
        2.  Evaluation of Non-Academic Goals
           
          1. Student progress toward non-academic goals that are critical to student success shall be assessed on age-appropriate competencies which may include, but are not limited to, conduct, citizenship, class participation, preparation, punctuality, meeting deadlines, neatness, organization, etc.
             
          2. Students in grades K-5 shall receive a Work Habits evaluation based on age appropriate competencies.
             
          3. Students in grades 6-12 shall receive a Work Ethics evaluation based on age appropriate competencies.
             
        3. Academic Integrity

          Violations of policy JFA Academic Integrity shall be handled as violations of the student code of conduct and addressed via the progressive discipline guidelines in the Student Handbook. Student mastery of the standards covered by the assignment on which cheating was detected will be reassessed with supervision.
           
        4. Long-term Teacher Absences and Vacancies

          In a case when a substitute teacher(s) is employed to instruct a course for more than five (5) instructional days, the principal will establish a plan for assuring the quality of instruction in the course, including the proper evaluation of student mastery. The principal shall designate an appropriate full time certified staff member to be responsible and accountable for the timely and accurate maintenance of grade books for the courses.

     

    1. Grade Reporting
    1. Students shall receive report cards after the end of the quarter mark; traditionally, after the end of the 9th, 18th, 27th and 36th weeks of the school year.  Students on a 4x4 schedule will receive report cards after the end of every 4.5 weeks.
       
    2. For grades K-5, evaluation of student mastery shall be cumulative throughout the year. Students will receive report cards at the midpoint of each semester and at the end of each semester.
       
    3. For grades 6-12, evaluation of student mastery shall be cumulative for the semester.
       
    4. All students shall receive interim progress reports at least four (4) times per year—4.5 weeks into the school year and midway between report card issuance dates.  Students on a 4x4 schedule shall receive interim reports at least four (4) times per semester – approximately 2 weeks into the school year and midway between report card issuance dates.
       
    5. Dates for progress reports and report cards will be noted on the student calendar.
       
    6. To the extent practicable, schools shall take steps to communicate about student grades in a language the parent/guardian understands.

     

    1. Students in Danger of Not Meeting Academic Expectations
       
      1. Teachers shall hold individual conferences in person or by telephone with the parents/legal guardians of students in danger of not meeting expectations to discuss a plan for student remediation.
         
      2. Students taking courses with required End-of-Course Tests (EOCT) whose numerical grades may drop below 70 based on the student’s score on the EOCT are also considered in danger of not meeting expectations.
         
      3. Response to Intervention (RTI) protocols should be implemented for students in danger of not meeting expectations based on the needs of the individual student.
         
      4. A social work referral should be completed if the teacher cannot establish contact with the parent/legal guardian via telephone, email, or US mail.
         
      5. If a student earns a “Not Yet Meeting Expectations” or a numerical grade below 70 on a final report card and the teacher has not conducted a parent/guardian conference, the student shall temporarily receive an incomplete (I) and the opportunity to have mastery of the standards reassessed via a performance plan (See Section 4. Incompletes).
         
    2. Incompletes
      1. Students who have not demonstrated mastery of standards due to documented medical absences or other reasons approved by the principal may receive a temporary grade of “Incomplete” (I) with a written performance plan approved by the principal.
         
      2. Student mastery must be reassessed and incompletes changed to an evaluation/grade within 4.5 weeks. The principal shall authorize all grade changes. (See Section 6. Grade Changes.)
         
      3. If an incomplete is not changed during this time period, schools will update all such letter grades to the grade otherwise reflected in the grade book. The Data + Information Group will provide a report for schools of all outstanding “Incompletes”.
         
    3. Repeating Courses/Recovering Credit (High School Students Only)
       
      1. Students may not retake courses for which they have already earned credit (earned a grade of 70 and above).
         
      2. Students may repeat courses for which they have earned a grade below 70. In such cases, both grades shall appear on the student transcript and shall be factored into the student’s grade-point average (GPA).
         
      3. Credit Recovery – Students may recover credit through the Atlanta Virtual Academy (AVA), Georgia Virtual School, district alternative programs, and school based extended learning opportunities. When a student successfully participates in a credit recovery course, both grades shall appear on the student transcript and shall be factored into the student’s grade-point average (GPA).A student cannot withdraw from a course and then earn credit through credit recovery.
    School leaders and counselors may direct students to district-approved credit recovery programs and/or acceleration opportunities. Students retain the right to pursue private school alternatives from accredited institutions for credit recovery, but employees are prohibited from directing students to programs that are not endorsed or provided by the District.

     

    1. Initial Credit Summer School
    Students may earn initial course credit during summer school for eligible course offerings. 

    Requirements for Award of Credit:
      • Earns an average score of 70
         
      • Receives 150 hours of instruction (20 instructional days, 7.5 hours per day; 25 instructional days, 6 hours per day; 30 instructional days, 5 hours per day
         
      • Misses no more than 22.5 hours of instruction (20-day session equates to 3 days; 25-day session equates to 3.75 days; 30 day session equates to 4.5 days)
    Students must:
      • Meet the minimum course prerequisites (as delineated in the APS High School Curriculum Course Guide),
         
      • Demonstrate the academic aptitude (motivation, perseverance, organizational skills, etc.) to pursue course acceleration, and
         
      • Possess the ability to complete academically demanding course material in a short timeframe

     

    1. Online courses for initial credit or recovery credit
    In accordance with Georgia law, a student may take an online course even if the course is offered in the local district. If the online course is taken in lieu of any of the regular school day, the school is responsible for the cost. If an online course is chosen outside the school day, the student is responsible for the cost of the course. Availability of online courses during the school day is subject to the availability of personnel to supervise online students and the capacity of the school to accommodate online learners on computers.

    Whether students are participating in a face-to-face or virtual instructional delivery model, students on 4-by-8 schedules may register for no more than a total of two (2) additional initial credit or credit recovery courses at one time.  Students on 4-by-4 schedules may register for no more than one (1) additional initial credit or credit recovery course at a time. Exceptions to these limitations may only be granted by the Associate Superintendent for High Schools, in writing.
     
    1. Students must be provided at least four weeks to complete an online course. The Associate Superintendent for High Schools may grant exceptions, in writing, for students registering for such a course less than four weeks before graduation.
       
    2. Initial Credit earned in Summer School
       
      1. Weighted Courses

        To recognize the additional effort required of students who enroll in rigorous coursework, ten (10) points will be added to the final numeric grade for the following courses that are passed with a grade of 70 or above: Advanced Placement (AP) courses, International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme courses, International Baccalaureate (IB) Career Programme courses, and college-level courses in core content areas and world languages taken while dually enrolled at an accredited postsecondary institution.  College level courses in non-core content areas may be granted additional points on a case-by-case basis upon review by the Office of Teaching and Learning and as approved by the Deputy Superintendent. 
         
    3. Grade Changes After Grades are Posted from Grade Book
       
      1. Errors in grade entry or calculations affecting student grades may be corrected at any time.
         
      2. Challenges by a student or on behalf of a student to grades based on objective criteria may be considered by the principal within 15 school days of the issuance of a final report card. Any grade changes approved by the principal shall be documented in writing within Infinite Campus with a detailed explanation of the rationale. Disputes shall be settled by the school’s Associate Superintendent.
         
      3. Grade changes after final grade have been posted shall be made only by the Chief Accountability Officer's designee. In order to change a grade already posted, the following steps must occur:
         
        1. The registrar or registrar's designee shall initiate a grade change request that will state the reason for the change and the name of the person requesting the grade change
           
        2. The grade change request must be approved by the Principal and Associate Superintendent. Once approved, the Chief Accountability Officer's designee shall make the grade change.
           
        3. Parents/legal guardians will be notified of all grade changes through the Infinite Campus Messenger.
           
    4. Transferring Grades
       
      1. APS accepts transfer grades for elementary, middle, and high school students who transfer from schools outside the Atlanta Public Schools in accordance with state board rule 160-5-1-.15 Awarding Units of Credit and Acceptance of Transfer Credit and/or Grades. See regulation JBC-R (4) School Admissions – Transferring Credits.
         
      2. APS shall accept grades issued by public schools and private schools accredited by agencies recognized by the Georgia Board of Education. Course grades from transcripts (or other official school documents) issued by accredited schools shall be transcribed exactly and shall not be changed.
         
      3. When a transcript with letter grades is submitted for a student transferring to APS, it is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to request an official school system document or a notarized statement on the transferring system’s letterhead with the actual numerical grade the student earned for each course. If that information cannot be determined by the sending school, the following conversion scale will be used. The following scale will ALSO be used to convert credits earned while a student is dually enrolled at an accredited postsecondary institution when the institution does not provide a numerical grade score.
    Letter Grade Numerical Grade Transcribed to APS Transcript

    A+

    100

    A

    95

    A-

    90

    B+

    89

    B

    85

    B-

    80

    C+

    79

    C

    75

    C-

    70

    D+

    70

    D

    70

    D-

    70

    F

    60

    1. APS staff trained in international transcripts and international educational practices will review and transcribe all international transcripts. Numeric grades will be assigned in accordance with recognized grade equivalency scales.
       
    2. Grades issued in a non-accredited school or home study setting will be recorded as Satisfactory (S) or Unsatisfactory (U). No numeric or letter grades will be recorded. Students must be enrolled for a minimum of 80% of a course to be eligible for full, equivalent course credit (i.e., 4-by-4, 4-by-8, or seven period day schedule). Students must be enrolled for a minimum of 40% of a course to be eligible for a half-credit either at one’s current school or a combination of the current and prior school), No course nor grade shall be documented on a transcript if student enrollment falls under the minimum 40% threshold.
    3. Late Enrollment
       
      1. No grade is required on a report card if a student has been enrolled in the school for less than 20 school days of the grading period and no grades have been received from the sending school.
         
      2. To ensure seamless enrollment, students who are transferring from another school or district in the middle of a semester should enroll in the same courses as their previous school, when feasible.
         
      3. Students entering from another public or accredited private school will be subject to the grades provided by the former school. The grades earned in APS during the enrollment period will be combined with these grades to determine the final grade for the student.
         
      4. For students who entered mid-semester without grades (including from home school or a non-accredited school), the school should evaluate each situation, assess the students’ mastery of the standards covered during the portion of the semester the student has missed, and develop a plan for any required make-up work and assessments for grading purposes. Students may receive an Incomplete (I) on the report card temporarily. (See Section 4. Incompletes.)
         
      5. If a student is transferring from another district and the course equivalent is in question, the transcription of course credit must be submitted to the School Counseling Coordinator for review, with approval from the Director of Curriculum & Instruction.
         
      6. Students who enroll after the deadline without transfer grades will receive the code No Grade – “NG” on the report card. Grades of “NG” will not be calculated into student grade-point averages (GPAs) or class rankings.
    1. Conversion of numeric grades to quality point scores (high school credits only)
       
      1. The following scale will be used to convert course numeric grades to course quality point scores.

    Numeric Grade

    Quality Point Score

    90-100

    4.0

    80-89

    3.0

    70-79

    2.0

    0-69

    0.0

    1. Numeric grades over 100 in Advanced Placement (AP) courses, International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme courses, International Baccalaureate (IB) Career Programme courses, and college-level courses in core content areas and world languages taken while dually enrolled at an accredited postsecondary institution, will convert to a 5.0 quality point score.
       
    2. The quality point score is calculated as a support to students as they apply to colleges and/or universities. The weighted numerical grade-point average is the average used to calculate class rank, including valedictorian and salutatorian

    Board Policy IHA: Grading Systems

    Regulation IHA-R(1): Grading Systems - Grading Expectations

Last Modified on October 26, 2022