Policies Home

Administration Policies

Board Policies

Educational Policies

Grading Systems

Policy name: Grading	Category: Education	Effective Date: March 2009	Related Policies: Curriculum Development and Approval	Replaces: E02.05.01 E02.03.05(1995)
Overseen by: Vice President Education, Vice President Educational Services	Approved by: Education Council	Review Date: May 2012

• Purpose
• Policy Statement
• Credit Grading System
• Mastery Grading System
• Non-Credit Grading System

Purpose

Grading systems enable student achievement to be recognized formally and communicated meaningfully beyond the institution while maintaining an atmosphere in which a spirit of inquiry, personal challenge, and commitment to excellence can flourish.

Policy Statement

Douglas College recognizes the need for a system of grading that is commonly used and respected among institutions. As a result, learning experiences offered under the authority of Douglas College for the purpose of credit courses are subject to a standard letter grade and percentage-value equivalent system of assessment and reporting. A separate grading system is used for the purposes of non-credit programming.

An alternative system, "Mastery Assessment" is offered for areas of study where it is desirable for students to be evaluated on the basis of the successful or unsuccessful meeting of a standard rather than on a scale of performance or values. Application for Mastery assessments must be made through the governance system and must include all course sections offered under that name and number throughout the College. Curricula and program guidelines of courses using Mastery assessments must specify clearly the learning outcomes, standard of achievement and level of participation required for successful completion.

Credit Grading System

 

1. Calculated in Grade Point Average (GPA)

   NOTE: Applies in evaluating course work for credit courses taken in Fall 1986, or later. For previous years contact the Registrar's Office.

   Grade	Numerical Value	Achievement Level	Description
   A+	4.33	95% and above
   A	4.00	90% to 94%	Outstanding Achievement
   A-	3.67	85% to 89%
   B+	3.33	80% to 84%
   B	3.00	75% to 79%	Good Achievement
   B-	2.67	70% to 74%
   C+	2.33	65% to 69%
   C	2.00	60% to 64%	Satisfactory Achievement
   C-	1.67	55% to 59%
   P	1.00	50% to 54%	Marginal Achievement
   F	0.00	49% and below	Unsatisfactory Achievement
   UN	0.00		Student completed less than 70% of the total evaluation of the course, or missed more than 30% of the classes where the instructor's Course Outline specifies that attendance is a course requirement.

   NOTE: An asterisk (*) indicates Challenge Credit. e.g. *B indicates the grade of "B" was achieved by means of a challenge examination.

2. Not Calculated in Grade Point Average (GPA)

   NOTE: Applies in evaluating course work for credit courses taken in Winter 2007, or later. For previous years contact the Registrar's Office.

Mastery Grading System

Courses or learning experiences designated Mastery assess a student's achievements according to defined learning outcomes or criteria. Mastery results will not be included in the calculation of a student's grade point average but will be identified on the student's transcript as follows:

Grade	Grade Points	Definition
MAS	Not Calculated	Student has met and mastered the goals, criteria or competencies established for this course, practicum or field placement.
EXP	Not Calculated	Student has participated in course activities and is progressing but has not mastered the goals, criteria or competencies established for this course, practicum or field placement.
NM	Not Calculated	Student has participated in course activities but has not met the goals, criteria or competencies established for this course, practicum or field placement.
UNW	Not Calculated	Student completed less than 70% of the total evaluation of the course, or missed more than 30% or the classes where the Instructor's Course Outline specifies that attendance is a course requirement.

Other Grades Used

Grade	Grade Points	Definition
ADV	Not Calculated	Advanced Credit -- Credit granted for an equivalent course completed at another recognized educational institution
ANC	Not Calculated	Anecdotal -- Student has been unable to meet all course requirements due to disabling condition, such as illness (This grade gives course credit)
AUD	Not Calculated	Audit -- Student attended (Auditors are not evaluated. Poor attendance results in a grade of W)
CIP	Not Calculated	Course in progress
CX	Not Calculated	Cancelled for non-payment of fees
DEF	Not Calculated	Deferred -- The course duration does not corresond to semester duration
ENC	Not Calculated	Exemption granted without credit
ECR	Not Calculated	Exemption granted with credit
I	Not Calculated	Incomplete -- Course requirements to be completed within a specific time period by arrangement with the instructor and Faculty
TRF	Not Calculated	Transfer credit granted
W	Not Calculated	Withdrew before official deadline

Non-Credit Grading System

The following grading system applies only to courses taken through Continuing Education and/or The Training Group and has been used to evaluate course work or participation since January 2002.

Grade	Definition
A+
A	Outstanding Achievement
A-
B+
B	Good Achievement
B-
C+
C	Satisfactory Achievement
C-
P	Marginal Achievement. This grade does not permit students to pursue another course for which this graded course was a prerequisite.
F	Unsatisfactory Achievement.
CX	Cancelled for non-payment of fees.
UN	Did not write final exam or complete course requirements.
W	Withdrawn before official deadline.
I	Incomplete. Course requirements to be completed within a specific time period by arrangement with the instructor and division.
CIP	Course in Progress. The course duration does not correspond to the semester duration.
MAS	Mastery. Student has met and mastered a clearly defined body of skills and performance to required standards.
EXP	Experience. Student has participated at the required level in course activities.
NCG	No Credit Granted. Student has not met the required standard for the course and/or has not participated to the required level in course activities.
DEF	Deferred. The course duration does not correspond to semester duration.
ADV	Advanced Credit. Credit granted for an equivalent course completed at another recognized educational institution.
ANC	Anecdotal. Student has been unable to meet all course requirements due to disabling condition.
AUD	Audit. Student attended. Auditors are not evaluated.
TRF	Transfer credit granted.
ENC	Exemption granted without credit.
ECR	Examption granted with credit.
PA	Pass Attendance.
PC	Pass Completion.
NA	Not applicable. This course is not graded.

I - Incomplete Grade

The Incomplete "I" grade allows registered students to defer course deadlines when extraordinary and/or unexpected circumstances make it impossible to complete their course work before the course ends. Examples include but are not limited to, sudden medical emergencies, serious physical or mental illness, serious physical or mental illness of a loved one, death of a loved one, family emergency, trauma, funeral attendance, jury duty etc.

Students are responsible for initiating requests for Incomplete grades and will contact their instructors to negotiate Incomplete contracts in credit courses after the ninth week of a semester-based class and before final grades are due in the semester. (Deadlines will be pro-rated for courses of shorter or longer duration). In non-credit courses, students must contact their instructors before the course ends.

Instructors will decide if Incomplete grades are appropriate after consideration of students' circumstances and the course requirements and structure. When requests for Incomplete grades are denied by instructors, students have recourse (under the Student Appeals Policy) to consult with the relevant Department Chair/Coordinator/Programmer and subsequently the Dean/Director for reconsideration of the denial of their request.

An Incomplete Grade Contract will specify the assignments and/or examinations required to complete a course and will be completed within four months from the date it is set. There is no limit to the number of "I" (Incomplete) grades a student may carry. "I" (Incomplete) Grades do not satisfy prerequisite requirements.

Amending Grades

Once grades are submitted to the Registrar's Office they are official.

Within four months of grades being submitted, a change can be made on the recommendation of an Instructor, with approval of a Dean/Director, if evidence is provided that substantiates a calculation error or new information is provided that was unavailable at the time the grade was assigned.

This policy was last revised on March 16, 2009.