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MCPS to change secondary grading: percent-based averages, 10-day grading window and at least two reassessments
Summary
MCPS presented revisions to Regulation IKAR for grades 6'12 that move final-grade calculations to the average of numeric percentages, set a 10-school-day maximum for returning graded work, require at least two reassessment opportunities and clarify when the 50% minimum grade applies; staff acknowledged early GPA impacts and promised transcript notation.
MCPS staff presented proposed revisions to Regulation IKAR that affect grading and reporting for secondary students (grades 6'12). The central changes are a move to percent-based final-grade calculation (the average of percentage grades across marking periods), a requirement that graded work be returned within 10 school days, a clear standard for when the 50% minimum applies, a mandate of at least two reassessment opportunities in all secondary courses, and limits on extension windows.
"Grades serve many purposes, and they are a, most importantly, a communication tool," Keisha Logan, director of curriculum development and instruction, told the committee as she framed the changes. On specifics Logan said, "graded work will be returned to students within 10 school days" and that district-wide summative assessments implemented across the semester will "count for 10% of the marking period in 2 and marking period 4 in grades." She added that teachers will provide "at least 2 reassessment opportunities" in every secondary course.
Logan explained the percent-based approach was chosen to reduce inconsistencies created by the previous marking pattern chart, which sometimes produced grade inflation and second-half absenteeism. Under the previous system a student could keep passing despite a failing second marking period; the percent average is intended to make final grades more closely reflect demonstrated learning. MCPS said the policy aligns the district with several neighboring local-education agencies.
Councilmembers expressed concern about subjectivity (how "genuine attempt" is judged for the 50% rule), potential short-term drops in grade-point averages and fairness across schools. MCPS responded that the first year will emphasize professional learning, teacher leaders' range-finding and ongoing coaching, and that the district will add a notation to transcripts explaining the grading-method change so colleges can contextualize GPA shifts: "we will be adding a notation to all student transcripts just showing that we have, as a district, made this change," Logan said.
MCPS outlined implementation supports: translated one-page summaries, a video overview, FAQ updates, teacher-leader training, principal briefings and a multi-stakeholder grading work group to monitor data every marking period.
