FCPS Grading Policy Changes
Grading Changes - Frequently Asked Questions
The Fairfax County School Board has instituted a modified ten-point grading scale that uses pluses and minuses and increasing the grade point weight (GPA) for Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), selected dual enrollment college, and honors courses.
The additional weighting of AP and IB courses and the additional weighting of honors courses is retroactive for all courses that appear on a student's high school transcript. For example, a student who is a junior during the 2009-10 school year who took an honors course as a freshman has received an additional 0.5 weight for that course added to his or her transcript retroactively. Dual enrollment courses that are currently weighted will continue to be weighted.
In addition, students at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) receive a weighting of 0.5 for all required math, science, English, and social studies courses. The weighting of 0.5 is awarded to all math courses above the level of AP courses that are not dual enrollment and to all science, math, and technology research and mentorship courses.
Transcripts for students no longer enrolled in FCPS and transcripts of FCPS graduates will not be updated to reflect the new retroactive weights. Transcripts for students tranferring into FCPS with AP, IB, selected dual enrollment and honors courses will be reviewed by the counselor and/or department chair to determine the weighting and lateral transfer of course credits.
The new grading scale is effective September 2009 and is not retroactive.
A (93-100) = 4.0
A- (90-92) = 3.7
B+ (87-89) = 3.3
B (83-86) = 3.0
B- (80-82) = 2.7
C+ (77-79) = 2.3
C (73-76) = 2.0
C- (70-72) = 1.7
D+ (67-69) = 1.3
D (64-66) = 1.0
F (below 64) = 0.0
More about AP, IB, and Dual Enrollment Courses
In late January 2009, current FCPS students who currently take or have taken year-long AB or IB course were granted an additional 0.5 weight – for a total of 1.0 – added to their GPA calculation for each AP or IB course taken. Also, current FCPS students who currently take or have taken selected semester-long dual enrollment courses were granted an additional 0.25 weight - for a total of 0.50 - added to their GPA calculation.
Background and Resources
An FCPS Grade Policy Report was released January 2, 2009.
 |
Interview with Peter Noonan- FCPS Grading Policies Asst. Superintendent of Instructional Services Peter Noonan discusses grading policy changes. May 2009. |