Calculation Methods for Standards-Based Report Cards

GradeBook offers many calculation methods for teachers using standards-based report cards. When creating the report cards, the GradeBook system manager can assign a calculation method as the default to each assessment on the report card. A teacher may change those calculation methods on the Grading Scale Setup screen.

GradeBook is set up by default to use straight averages and automatically calculate students' grades after you enter assignment marks, change existing marks in the GradeBook, or change assignments. You may choose to use weighted averages, use different calculations for each reporting period, and recalculate grades manually.

The following calculation methods are available only in classes that use the Custom Setup 2 grading scale option for standards-based report cards:

•None – Grade or mark is not calculated by the GradeBook and teachers must enter the appropriate mark manually.

•Average – Calculates average using points or percentages for assignments in the current grading period. If letter grades are used for assignments, the average is calculated based on the point value associated with each letter grade. For example, if A = 4 and B = 3, etc., these point values are used to calculate the average. For further explanation of how averages are calculated, see examples in “Calculation Methods Using Straight or Weighted Averages.”

•Power Law – Also known as Method of Mounting Evidence, it is an industry-standard algorithm that applies less weight to assignment marks given earlier in the reporting period than to assignment marks given later in the reporting period; the formula tries to predict future marks by adjusting the weight of assignment marks already received

This calculation method can be used with numeric as well as alphabetical mark types and must meet the following conditions:

•At least three assignments must be associated with the assessment

•All the assignments associated with the assessment must have the same point value

•All the assignments associated with the assessment must have a weight of 1

•Does not include missing assignments

•Does not include excluded assignments marks

•Highest Achieved – The highest mark achieved on an assignment in the current grading period. If points are used as the mark type, GradeBook translates the point value into a percentage for each assignment to determine the highest mark. If letter grades are used as the mark type, the letter grade with the highest point value is used. Missing assignments are not included.

•Last Achieved – The last mark achieved on an assignment based on the assignment due date, not including missing assignments, in the current grading period. If points are used as the mark type, GradeBook translates the last mark achieved point value into a percentage to display as the student's grade.

•Median – Calculates average using the middle value of the sorted list of marks in the current reporting period. Given an even number of marks, the two middle values are averaged to calculate the median. All assignments must have the same points possible. Assignment type weights and individual assignment weights cannot be used with this method. This method can be used only on new mark entry screens and is not compatible with classic mark entry.

•Mode – Calculates average using the mark that occurs most frequently in the set of values in the current reporting period. Given multiple mark types occur with the highest frequency, the mark with the higher value is used. All assignments must have the same points possible. Assignment type weights and individual assignment weights cannot be used with this method. This method can be used only on new mark entry screens and is not compatible with classic mark entry.

•YTD Average – Calculates average using points or percentages for assignments from the beginning of the school year to the end of the current grading period. If letter grades are used for assignments, the average is calculated based on the point value associated with each letter grade. For example, if A = 4 and B = 3, etc., these point values are used to calculate the average.

•YTD Power Law – Industry-standard algorithm that applies less weight for assignment marks given earlier in the school year than for assignment marks given through the end of the current grading period of the school year. The same conditions must be met as for Power Law.

•YTD Highest Achieved – The highest mark achieved on an assignment from the beginning of the school year to the end of the current grading period. If points are used as the mark type, GradeBook translates the point value into a percentage for each assignment to determine the highest mark. If letter grades are used as the mark type, the letter grade with the highest point value is used. Missing assignments are not included.

•YTD Last Achieved – The last mark achieved on an assignment based on the assignment due date, not including missing assignments, from the beginning of the school year to the end of the current grading period. If points are used as the mark type, GradeBook translates the last mark achieved point value into a percentage to display as the student's grade.

•YTD Median – Calculates average using the middle value of the sorted list of marks from the beginning of the current school year to the end of the current reporting period. Given an even number of marks, the two middle values are averaged to calculate the median. All assignments must have the same points possible. Assignment type weights and individual assignment weights cannot be used with this method. This method can be used only on new mark entry screens and is not compatible with classic mark entry.

•YTD Mode – Calculates average using the mark that occurs most frequently in the set of values from the beginning of the current school year to the end of the current reporting period. Given multiple mark types occur with the highest frequency, the mark with the higher value is used. All assignments must have the same points possible. Assignment type weights and individual assignment weights cannot be used with this method. This method can be used only on new mark entry screens and is not compatible with classic mark entry.

These calculation methods do not include excluded assignments marks. Where included, assignments marked as missing count as 0 if numeric mark types are used or they count as the point value of the letter grade with the lowest point value if letter grades are used.