June 2024
DCPS has developed new Summer Learning Secondary Grading and Reporting Guidance to support critical summer learning programs that provide students with important opportunities for academic growth, the recovery of many core courses, and preparation for the upcoming school year. Given the nature of summer learning programs, some typical grading and reporting procedures must be modified, and the new guidance details these changes. Unless specifically noted in this guidance, all other requirements of the Secondary Grading and Reporting Policy apply to summer learning courses.
DCPS is committed to ensuring every student feels loved, challenged, and prepared to positively influence society and thrive in life by providing rigorous and inclusive learning environments for all students. DCPS is focused on accelerating growth for students of all identities and abilities by ensuring equitable access to opportunity and removing barriers to learning. This policy conveys DCPS requirements related to grading and reporting on student academic progress for students in grades 6 through 12.
DCPS believes that grades are in the service of ongoing learning, provide timely feedback, and plan for personalized instruction, while making a record of growth and development over a student’s school career. As such, grades are a measure of a state of skill and knowledge of content that is taught, learned, and demonstrated based on the DCPS curriculum and are transparent and consistent among all schools, within set parameters. Grades are based on standards-based evidence of student learning demonstrated in foundational course engagement, assignments, and assessments and are accessible and available for revision and improvement throughout the term. Grades are not a mechanism used to sort students, perpetuate opportunity gaps, or manage students’ behavior. Grades are not based on institutional compliance or compatibility nor a tool for teaching accountability or consequence lessons to students.
For additional information on calculating high school grade point averages, please see dcps.dc.gov/publication/calculating-high-school-grade-point-averages.
