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Grade Point Average

Section 605.13 | Board Report 13-0828-PO6 | Date Adopted August 28, 2013

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THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER RECOMMENDS

That the Board adopt a Grade Point Average (GPA) Policy.

PURPOSE

The District utilizes both a standard GPA calculation system and also a weighted GPA calculation system. This policy will codify the methodology used to calculate a high school student’s GPA under both the standard and weighted systems.

POLICY TEXT

I. Standard GPA Calculation

The GPA is a measure of a student’s performance across all credit-bearing courses taken by the student over a period of time factoring in the grade earned and the potential credit for each course taken. For the standard GPA calculation, a grade value is assigned to each letter grade earned by a student as follows:

Standard Grade Values
Letter Grade Grade Value
A 4
B 3
C 2
D 1
F 0

A student's standard GPA is obtained by dividing the total number of potential credits taken by the student into the total number of grade points earned as follows:

  1. Identify the letter grade and potential credit for each course taken.
  2. Identify the Grade Value for the grade earned using the Grade Values chart.
  3. Calculate the ‘grade points’ earned for each course by multiplying the Grade Value x Potential Credit identified for the course.
  4. Total all Potential Credits for all courses taken by the student.
  5. Total all ‘grade points’ for all courses taken by the student.
  6. Calculate GPA by dividing All Grade Points Earned/All Potential Credits for all courses taken

Example of Standard GPA Calculation:

Course Name Letter Grade Potential Credit GPA Grade Value Potential Credit x Grade Value (‘Grade Points’)
American Literature A 0.50 4 2.0
United States History B 0.50 3 1.5
Chemistry C 0.50 2 1.0
Geometry C 0.50 2 1.0
Spanish II B 0.50 3 1.5
Total   2.50   7.0
GPA 7.0/2.50 = 2.80 GPA

II. Weighted GPA Calculation

For the weighted GPA, the calculation occurs in the same manner as a described in section I above except that weighted grade values are assigned to each letter grade based on the applicable course level designation as follows:

Weighted Grade Values
Letter Grade Course Level
Significantly Modified Regular Honors Advanced
A 2 4 5 6
B 2 3 4 5
C 1 2 3 4
D 1 1 1 1
F 0 0 0 0

Regular, Advanced and Honors course level designations are specified in the district’s high school course catalog issued by the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) or designee. Regular courses are standard classes and subject areas available to all students and include courses designated as non-level. Advanced courses include college level courses such as advanced placement courses and International Baccalaureate courses offered in the 11th and 12th grade, except when otherwise specified in the course catalog. Honors courses include International Baccalaureate courses offered at the 9th and 10th grade level, except when otherwise specified in the course catalog. Significantly Modified course designations are established on an individual student basis and are specified in a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). Any high school level course offered by a school must first be identified in the district’s high school course catalog by name, course number, potential credit and course level designation as established by the CEO or designee

Example of Weighted GPA Calculation

Course Name Letter Grade Potential Credit Course Level Weighted Grade Value Weighted Grade Value x Potential Credit (‘Grade Points’)
American Literature A 0.50 Advanced 6 3.0
United States History B 0.50 Honors 4 2.0
Chemistry C 0.50 Regular 2 1.0
Geometry C 0.50 Regular 2 1.0
Spanish II B 0.50 Regular 3 1.5
Total   2.50     8.5
Weighed GPA 8.5/2.5 = 3.4

III. Reporting of GP

GPAs are calculated and reported for each semester’s coursework as well as on a cumulative basis for all student coursework

IV. Duplicate Courses

  • Effect on GPA. In the event a student repeats the same course for any reason, the student’s GPA (both standard and weighted) will factor in only the highest grade earned for the duplicate course. For instance, if a student fails Geometry, the ‘F’ will be calculated into the student’s GPA until such time as the student retakes Geometry and earns a higher grade. All courses taken by a student and grades earned will appear on a student’s transcript. However, once the course is re-taken, the highest grade only is factored into the student’s GPA. Once a credit is earned for a course, a student may not earn additional credit for repeating the same course.
  • Effect on Graduation Honors. The effect of duplicate courses on any graduation honors or other honors offered by a high school is subject to principal discretion.
  • Availability. A student may repeat any course in which a grade of D or lower is received. A student may repeat a course in which s/he received a grade C or higher only upon approval of the principal or his/her designee. In such cases, approval may be limited due to available resources, course scheduling and sequencing and other factors specified in the high school course and credit guidelines issued by the CEO or designee.

V. Elementary Students taking HS Courses for Credit

Elementary Students who take a high school level course for credit as described in the Board’s Policy on “Awarding High School Credit and Placement for High School Level Courses Taken by Elementary Grade Students” shall have such course, grade earned and credit appear on their high school transcript and included in their GPA calculation(s).

VI. Transfer Credits

  • Use. Transfer credits and grades will be used in determining a student’s GPA as specified in the high school course and credit guidelines.
  • Transfer Students. For students transferring to a Chicago Public School from a charter school or school outside the district, the student’s transcripts will be evaluated by the enrolling school to identify and record the transfer credits, course grades and course level designations for purposes of establishing a GPA. For students transferring from a school located in a foreign country, the school shall record transfer credits, course grades and course level designations based on an evaluation of the transcript by the CEO’s designee for foreign transcript review. The high school course and credit guidelines shall include transfer credit recording protocols that address transcript evaluation and course recording for students transferring from accredited or state-approved schools, home-schooled and other private school students and schools located in other countries. Schools shall comply with the high school course and credit guidelines when making transcript entries of credits, grades and equivalent course numbers and course designations for transfer students.
  • Outside Courses. Credits and grades earned by CPS students who take approved courses for high school credit at colleges, universities or online courses (in accordance with applicable Board policies) will be used in determining a student’s GPA as specified in the high school course and credit guidelines.

VII. Affected Students

GPAs will be recalculated using the methodology described in this Policy for active students enrolled in a Chicago Public High School during the 2013-2014 school year. GPAs will not be recalculated for students who graduated from a Chicago Public High School on or before August 25, 2013 or for students who previously left CPS before graduating that do not re-enroll in a Chicago Public High School during the 2013-2014 school year or thereafter. For high school students who left a Chicago Public High School before graduating and prior to the 2013-2014 school year, who re-enroll during the 2013-2014 school year or thereafter, their GPA will be recalculated using the methodology described in this Policy.

VIII. Effective Date

This policy shall be effective on September 1, 2013.

Policy References

Amends/Rescinds  
Cross References 18-0627-RS1 [Resolution Approving a Competency-Based Education Pilot Program in Eleven High Schools and Related Policy Modifications] is attached to the Policy
Legal References 105 ILCS 5/2722.10; 23 Illinois Administrative Code 1.440

Policy Managed By Office of Teaching and Learning

42 W. Madison St.
Chicago, IL 60602