GPA and Class Rank Presentation Presented by: B. Wiegand and Kellyanne Scerbo Power Point arranged by: Brendon Stone

Unweighted Simple GPA 90-100 = 4.0 80-89 = 3.0 70-79 = 2.0 60-69 = 1.0 28-59 = 0.0

Class Rank Class rank is based on the number of Total Quality Points (TQP) achieved. Total Quality Points are determined by multiplying: grade x credit x “weight” of the course Weights: Standard=1.0 CP=1.04 H= 1.10 AP=1.15 Each courses’ TQPs are then added up to calculate the total for the year.

Class Rank Calculation Example Grade x Credits Weight Factor = TQP Algebra-Standard 100 1 1.00 English CP 1.04 104 History H 1.10 110 Science AP 1.2 1.15 138 Foods 0.5 50 PE 0.4 40 Study Hall Spanish CP 1.0 Technology 686 *Based on 6.5 credits

Reasons to Change TQP Rank System Reason # 1: Not taking a full schedule (7.0 credits) adversely affects a student’s class rank.

Example of How Not Taking a Full Schedule Adversely Affects a Student’s Class Rank Student # 1: Currently ranked 10/259. If we omitted one 0.5 elective (ex: Freshman Seminar) the student’s quality points would be reduced by 48.5 points, which then places the student at 43/259.

Example of How Not Taking a Full Schedule Affects a Student’s Class Rank Student # 2: Currently ranked 3/259. If this student did not take the 0.6 credit part-time Choir she would have lost 59.4 points, which would place her at 32/259.

Reasons to Change TQP Rank System (cont.) Reason # 2: TQP increased the number of independent studies. Students are trying to create courses to maximize the number of credits they can take. The true definition of an independent study is a course not offered in the high school setting for students to enrich their knowledge in a particular subject. Recent independent studies have not followed the true guidelines. Approximately 118 independent studies in the 2008-2009 school year.

Reasons to Change TQP Rank System (cont.) Reason # 3: GPA does not correlate to rank. Example: Student # 3 was a member of the class of 2007. He had a simple GPA of a 3.995 but he was 17/228 in the class. He took 11 honors courses and 4 AP courses # 2 in the class had a 3.870 # 5 in the class had a 3.601

Reasons to Change TQP Rank System Not taking a full schedule (7.0 credits) adversely affects a student’s class rank. 2. TQP increased the number of independent studies. 3. GPA does not correlate to rank.

Local Schools Contacted Conestoga High School-no rank Perkiomen Valley High School Pottsgrove High School Spring-Ford High School Methacton High School Owen J. Roberts High School Great Valley High School Boyertown High School *All schools have a weighted GPA and use it to determine rank.

Summary of Our Research All 8 schools have a weighted GPA. 6 out of 8 schools rank their students based on their weighted GPA. Conestoga and Great Valley do not report rank to students and parents, but they will report percentiles to colleges. This percentile is based on the weighted GPA.

Our Recommended Weighted GPA Scale Complex weighted GPA Weights: Standard=0 CP=1.05 H=1.125 AP=1.25 Old Scale: Standard=0 CP=1.04 H=1.10 AP=1.15

New Weighted GPA Scale

Weighted GPA Calculation Grade Credits x GPA Weight = GPA Credit Algebra-Standard 100 1.0 4.0 English CP 4.2 History H 4.5 Science AP 1.2 5.0 6.0 Foods Standard 0.5 2.0 PE 0.4 1.6 Spanish CP Technology 6.5 28.1 32 . 4 5 6 1 28 = Weighted GPA

Our Rationale Uniform scale to use for class rank, NHS, and Honor roll. In the TQP system the inability to carry a full load adversely affected students. The TQP system does not allow students the opportunity to take study halls if they want to be competitive for class rank. With the new system students are ranked by the grade and level of the course versus the number of credits they can fit in their schedule. This is a more accurate reflection of class rank.

CONCLUSION This new weighted GPA scale will begin in August of 2010. GPA/class rank will be recalculated for all students retroactively. We will start reporting class rank in percentiles. This will eliminate the overemphasis of achieving a specific number. Students must take a minimum of 6.0 credits. The top three students will be notified of their status at the start of senior year. A weighted GPA can make our students more competitive for scholarships and/or admittance into college.