The District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) mission is to ensure that students reach their full potential through rigorous and joyful learning experiences provided in a nurturing environment. DCPS is focused on accelerating growth for students of all identities and abilities by ensuring equitable access to opportunity and removing barriers to learning.

DCPS believes that grades promote ongoing learning, provide timely feedback, and support 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 throughout the term. This policy conveys DCPS requirements for grading and reporting on student academic progress for students in grades Pre-K 3 through 5.