Announcement – Modified Version of the Traditional Grading Scale

Similar to the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and other colleges/universities and school districts in Michigan, we are creating a modified version of the traditional grading scale. This change is being made with the understanding that the COVID-19 pandemic is creating inequitable circumstances for students to pursue their coursework and demonstrate their learning. We know that many students are managing very challenging personal situations. Our hope is that this change will help to support the well-being and success of learners, maintain the academic integrity of our programs, and stay true to our values.

Thus, for the first and second semesters, high schools will use a modified version of the traditional grading scale. Teachers will record letter grades, but a student who earns a D+, D, or D- grade for the final semester grade will receive a G (credit). A high school student who earns an E grade will receive an NC (no credit). A high school student may transition from earning a grade to working toward a G, regardless of the projected final semester grade, through consultation with a school counselor. 

For all quarter grades, middle schools will use a modified version of the traditional grading scale, as well. Teachers will record letter grades, but a student who earns a D+, D, or D- grade for the quarter grade will receive an S (credit). A middle school student who earns an E grade will receive an NM (no mark). The high school's G and NC marks will apply to high school credit-earning courses taken at the middle schools. 

High school students who receive a G will earn credit for the course and their grade point average will not be affected. Students who receive an NC will not earn credit for the course and their grade point average will not be affected. Students who receive an NC may request a 2-week extension to the semester in an effort to earn a G so long as they are at a minimum of 45% at the end of the semester. 

We will also have a more flexible allowance for withdrawal from a course, allowing a student to withdraw from a course at any time up through January 8, 2021. Reasons for a withdrawal shall be based on particular reasons or circumstances, reviewed by the student’s counselor, and approved by the school administration. Courses approved for withdrawal will appear on a student’s transcript with a W (withdrawal).

Regarding A2 Virtual+ courses, there will be flexibility with grading and withdrawing from courses for first semester, as well. A student must have a minimum of 60% in the course to earn the G grade. A student may request a 2-week extension on the semester so long as they are at a minimum of 45% in the course. The deadline to request an extension is January 15, 2021. It is important to note that there are NO extensions for Michigan Virtual courses. A student may withdraw from a first semester course up to December 17, 2020.

Finally, for high school students, it is important that they work closely with their school counselor regarding questions about how G and NC grades will impact their post-secondary plans (i.e., admissions requirements, NCAA Clearinghouse eligibility).

FAQ - Modified Version of the Traditional Grading Scale

Q1: Why are we moving to this new, modified grading scale for 2020-21 school year?
Similar to the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and other colleges/universities and school districts in Michigan, we are creating a modified version of the traditional grading scale. This change is being made with the understanding that the COVID-19 pandemic is creating inequitable circumstances for students to pursue their coursework and demonstrate their learning. We know that many students are managing very challenging personal situations. Our hope is that this change will help to support the well-being and success of learners, maintain the academic integrity of our programs, and stay true to our values.

Q2: How will high school, middle school courses be graded?
For the first and second semesters, high schools will use a modified version of the traditional grading scale. Teachers will record letter grades, but a student who earns a D+, D, or D- grade for the final semester grade will receive a G (credit). A high school student who earns an E grade will receive an NC (no credit).

For all quarter grades, middle schools will use a modified version of the traditional grading scale, as well. Teachers will record letter grades, but a student who earns a D+, D, or D- grade for the quarter grade will receive an S (credit). A middle school student who earns an E grade will receive an NM (no mark). The high school's G and NC marks will apply to high school credit-earning courses taken at the middle schools. Note: First quarter grades of D+, D, or D- will be changed to S, and E grades will be changed to NM.

Q3: How does modified grading impact a student’s high school transcript? Post-secondary plans?
A high school student who receives a G will earn credit for the course and the grade point average will not be affected. A student who receives an NC will not earn credit for the course and the grade point average will not be affected. It is important that a student works closely with his/her school counselor regarding questions about how G and NC grades will impact post-secondary plans (i.e., admissions requirements, NCAA Clearinghouse eligibility).

Q4: Can a high school student receive an NC request and extension to the semester?
A student who receives an NC may request a 2-week extension to the semester in an effort to earn a G so long as the student is at a minimum of 45% at the end of the semester. 

Q5: Can a high school student request a “credit/no credit” option?
A high school student may transition from earning a grade to working toward a G, regardless of the projected final semester grade, through consultation with a school counselor. 

Q6: Is there an option to withdraw from a high school course?
We will have a more flexible allowance for withdrawal from a course, allowing a student to withdraw from a course at any time up through January 8, 2021. Reasons for a withdrawal shall be based on particular reasons or circumstances, reviewed by the student’s counselor, and approved by the school administration. Courses approved for withdrawal will appear on a student’s transcript with a W (withdrawal). A parent/guardian/student should contact the student’s counselor to review this option.

Q7: What about A2V courses?
Regarding A2 Virtual+ courses, there will be flexibility with grading and withdrawing from courses, as well. A student must have a minimum of 60% in the course to earn the G grade. A student may request a 2-week extension on the semester so long as they are at a minimum of 45% in the course. The deadline to request an extension is January 15, 2021. It is important to note that there are NO extensions for Michigan Virtual courses. A student may withdraw from a first semester course up to December 17, 2020. All grading and withdrawal decisions must be approved by A2V administration. A parent/guardian/student should contact the A2V+ counselors – Ms. Siewert, HS counselor for A2V+ (siewert@aaps.k12.mi.us) or Mr. Loeb, MS counselor for A2V+ (loeb@aaps.k12.mi.us).