Secondary Grading Updates Franklin County Schools Board Meeting May 2015 Dr. Rhonda Schuhler

GCS-L-004: Policy Outlining Standards to be Incorporated into the Electronically Generated High School Transcript Effective with the school year, all students in grades will be graded using a ten (10) point grading scale with an “A”; a “B”; a “C”; and a “D.” There will be no plus/minus or augmented scales. Grades will be reported numerically.

GCS-L-004: Policy Outlining Standards to be Incorporated into the Electronically Generated High School Transcript Effective with the Freshman Class of 2015, a new weighting scale will apply to honors and college-level classes. Honors credit beyond standard weights will carry an additional.5 quality point and any college-level course -- AP, IB, community college (authorized additional weight by the Comprehensive Articulation Agreement), university -- will carry an additional 1.0 quality point. The maximum credits earned would be 4.5 for an “A” in honors and 5.0 for an “A” on a college-level course. Upperclassmen will continue with the current weighting system through graduation.

GCS-L-004: Policy Outlining Standards to be Incorporated into the Electronically Generated High School Transcript We will make the adjustment from a 7 point to 10 point grading scale for all middle and high school students beginning with the school year.

GCS-L-004: Policy Outlining Standards to be Incorporated into the Electronically Generated High School Transcript Steps for Implementation: Information shared with FCS Board of Education Changes in grading scale and weighting of grades will be posted on the FCS website, as well as the middle and high school sites Changes will be shared at “Open House” and “Meet the Teacher” events at our high schools Blackboard Connect announcement will be made prior to first progress report being sent

GCS-M-001 Course for Credit The Course for Credit policy, GCS-M-001, provides guidance to school districts regarding the awarding of high school course credit. The policy revisions that were approved in May 2014 include language removing specific reference to the number of hours of seat time for a credit course and maintain the requirement that local school superintendents ensure that courses have sufficient rigor, breadth and depth to be awarded high school credit.

What is Credit by Demonstrated Mastery (CDM)? Offers North Carolina students the opportunity to personalize and accelerate their learning by earning course credit through a demonstration of mastery of course material.

Is CDM Applicable to All Courses? The following courses are excluded: 1.CTE work-based course (co-op, internships, apprenticeship) 2.CTE courses that have a clinical setting as a requirement of the course 3.CTE Advanced Studies courses 4.English Language Learner (ELL) courses 5.Healthful Living required courses 6.AP/IB Courses

How Do Students Demonstrate Mastery Through the CDM Process? Phase I ❏ mastery on a standardized examination ❏ the EOC/EOG where applicable, OR ❏ a final exam developed locally Phase II ❏ mastery on an LEA-created artifact which requires the student to apply knowledge and skills relevant to content standards

Process/Timeline for Franklin County Schools District committee put together basic plan for implementation Schools communicated process through letter, webpage, announcements, informational meetings District posting on website Process/Timeline for Franklin County Schools by December 2014 Counselors/School Staff shared information regarding CDM and implications for students December Parent/Student Agreement Forms for consideration were due Three students participated in Phase I of CDM (4 courses total) None received credit and progressed to Phase 2