The District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) marking or grading system shall be designed to report fairly and accurately student progress and student achievement.
The Chancellor shall establish and implement all DCPS policies on marks (grades) and student progress reporting.
The Chancellor shall establish the form(s) for the reporting of marks (grades) and student progress.
Teachers shall have primary responsibility for evaluating the work of the student
All students shall receive instructions leading to the achievement of DCPS content standards as follows:
At the elementary level; pre-kindergarten through fifth (5) grade; marks (grades) of 1 through 4 shall be assigned by the teacher to indicate the degree of achievement of a student of the standards in each content area as follows:
4 = exceeds the standard (Advanced);
3 = meets the standard (Proficient);
2 = approaches the standard (Basic); and
1 = does not meet the standard (Below Basic).
For skills or/expectations within subject areas, sub-marks shall be given as follows:
s = secure;
d = developing;
b = beginning; and
n = not introduced.
At the Secondary level; sixth (6th) grade through twelfth (12th) grade; marks (grades) of A through F shall be assigned by the teacher to indicate the degree of achievement by a student of the content standards in each course. Results of the end of course exam will count for no more than twenty percent (20%) of the final grade. Marks (grades) shall be as follows: A = 93 to 100, A- = 90 to 92;
B+ = 87 to 89;
B = 83 to 86;
B- = 80 to 82;
C+ = 79 to 77;
C = 73 to 76
C- = 70 to 72;
D+ = 67 to 69;
D = 64 to 66; and F = 63 and below.
Credit | GPA | On On Grade (unweighted) | Honors* | AP* or IB* | |
A (93%to 100%) | Yes | Yes | 4.0 | 4.5 | 5.0 |
A- (90% to 92%) | Yes | Yes | 3.7 | 4.2 | 4.7 |
B+(87%to 89%) | Yes | Yes | 3.3 | 3.8 | 4.3 |
B (83% to 86%) | Yes | Yes | 3.0 | 3.5 | 4.0 |
B-(80% to 82%) | Yes | Yes | 2.7 | 3.2 | 3.7 |
C+(77%to 79%) | Yes | Yes | 2.3 | 2.8 | 3.3 |
C (73% to 76%) | Yes | Yes | 2.0 | 2.5 | 3.0 |
C-(70% to 72%) | Yes | Yes | 1.7 | 2.2 | 2.7 |
D+(67%to 69%) | Yes | Yes | 1.3 | 1.5 1.8 | 2.0 2.3 |
D (64% to 66%) | Yes | Yes | 1.0 | 1.5 | 2.0 |
F 63% & below | No | Yes | |||
W | No | No | |||
L (late entry) | No | No | Converts to AUD (audit) at end of following advisory if coursework is not completed |
Marks (grades) in courses failed and retaken for credit in grades kindergarten through twelve (12) shall not replace previously earned marks (grades) for any given course but are included in the student's cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA). Marks (grades) earned in extended education programs such as Summer School, STAY School and Evening Credit Recovery courses have the same credit and GPA value as standard year courses.
Mid and end of advisory reporting on student progress: Parents and students will be informed in writing on a regular basis of the progress made toward achieving the content standards. Toward that end, principals are responsible for effectively implementing the following process:
When a student has been identified as at risk of failing to meet the content standards, the principal, teacher(s) (bilingual/English as a Second Language (ESL) special education teacher where appropriate) and other designated staff shall work with the parents and the student to identify appropriate interventions. They may consider a variety of options including but not limited to:
Teachers shall provide marks (grades) for each student and the school system shall issue report cards after the end of each advisory or/marking period documenting the student's progress toward achieving the content standards. Report cards shall be distributed no later than twelve (12) school days after the end of the advisory.
Any student who has not met the standards in a course or in a grade shall be notified no later than the last day of school in order to ensure timely enrollment in Summer School.
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 5, r. 5-B2200