Grading

Daniel Hand High School 2019-20 Trimester 3 Grading

Students may elect Pass/Fail grading at any time but the decision must be made by the last day of classes (June 18, 2020). In the event that students select Pass/Fail* grading, the course is graded in the usual way by the teacher and the teacher submits a letter grade. This letter grade is translated into a ‘P’ (‘D’ or above) or remains an ‘F’ if below a 65. The portion of the course taken under the Pass/Fail option will not be included in the computation of the trimester or cumulative grade point average. Students should consult with their guidance counselor before electing to complete courses on a Pass/Fail* basis. The Pass/Fail option only applies to Trimester 3 of the 2019-20 school year. After June 23, 2020, the decision to select or not select the Pass/Fail option is final and cannot be reversed.

*An “F” as a trimester 3 grade will be initially listed as Incomplete or “I” and students will have the opportunity to submit work by a specified deadline to earn a passing grade.

For students who select to have the calculated grade (numeric grade) for T3, the grade is averaged in for the course as described in the Program of Studies and will be used in the calculation of Senior Honors per Board of Education Policy #5128 Rank in Class. (Students who are considering the Pass/Fail option should review policy #5128).

All students can separately and distinctly select courses in T3 that would fall within this COVID-19 grading provision.

Pass/Fail Details

*The chart below only applies if a student selects the Pass/Fail option.
Answers to questions about traditional grading can be found on pages 27-29 of The Handbook for Students and Parents.

Trimester 1

Course Credits	Grading	Credit Earned	Weighted/Unweighted GPA Impact
0.5 Credit Course	Traditional Grade	0.5	Yes
1.0 Credit Course taken T1 and T2	Traditional Grade	1.0	Yes
1.0 Credit Course Taken T1 and T3	T1=Traditional Grade T3=Pass/Fail	1.0	T1: Yes T3: No T1=Final Average, listed on transcript and 0.5 credit factored into GPA, T3 listed on transcript
1.5 Credit Course	T1=Traditional Grade T2=Traditional Grade T3=Pass/Fail	1.5	T1: Yes T2: Yes T3: No T1+T2 = Final Average, listed on transcript and 1.0 credit factored into GPA, T3 listed on transcript

(Turn your phone sideways to view full tables)

Trimester 2

Course Credits	Grading	Credit Earned	Weighted/Unweighted GPA Impact
0.5 Credit Course	Traditional Grade	0.5	Yes
1.0 Credit Course taken T1 and T2	Traditional Grade	1.0	Yes
1.0 Credit Course Taken T2 and T3	T2=Traditional Grade T3=Pass/Fail	1.0	T2: Yes T3: No T2=Final Average, listed on transcript and 0.5 credit factored into GPA, T3 listed on transcript

Trimester 3

Course Credits	Grading	Credit Earned	Weighted/Unweighted GPA Impact
0.5 Credit Course	Pass/Fail	0.5	No Pass/Fail listed on transcript
1.0 Credit Course taken T2 and T3	T2=Traditional Grade T3=Pass/Fail	1.0	T2: Yes T3: No T2=Final Average, listed on transcript and 0.5 credit factored into GPA, T3 listed on transcript
Trimester 3 Exams	Cancelled	N/A	N/A

GPA (GRADE POINT AVERAGE) IF A STUDENT SELECTS THE PASS/FAIL OPTION

Both a Weighted GPA and an Unweighted GPA will be calculated each trimester and reported on the transcript. Our school profile, which is submitted to colleges and universities annually, will have a detailed explanation of our grading system, including Weighted GPA and Unweighted GPA as well as an explanation specific to the addition of Pass/Fail in 2020 Trimester 3 due to the impact of Covid-19.

Unweighted Grade Point Average

Unweighted GPA is calculated using all courses (grades 9-12) without regard to level. Trimester 3 grades earned during 2020 will not count towards unweighted grade point average for students currently enrolled at Daniel Hand High School. No additional weighting or points are added for Honors or Advanced Placement courses. A four-point scale (4.0) is used.

Weighted Grade Point Average

Weighted GPA is typically calculated using courses taken in grades 10-12. Freshman courses are not included. Trimester 3 grades earned during 2020 will not count towards weighted grade point average for students currently enrolled at Daniel Hand High School. The philosophy of DHHS is that freshman year is a transition during which there is significant social, emotional, and academic growth. Weighted GPA is determined by the grade earned and the level designation of the course. A four-point scale (4.0) is used.

Distance Learning Grading Policy FAQs

When is the deadline to elect Pass/Fail grading?

What grade do I need to have in order to earn a Pass with the Pass/Fail option?

How do I know which option is best for me?

Do I need to elect the Pass/Fail grading option for all of my courses?

What option do I have if I fail a Trimester 3 course?

How will colleges understand a grade of “P” on my transcript?

How will 2019-2020 Trimester 3 grades impact my GPA?

How will the Pass/Fail grading option impact Class Rank?

Will selecting Pass/Fail impact my eligibility to play high school sports?

For schools with NCAA-approved core courses, how will the Eligibility Center approach those schools that issue Pass/Fail grades in Spring/Summer 2020 due to school closures?

For NCAA-approved core courses completed in Spring/Summer 2020 that have been issued a grade of “Pass,” the Eligibility Center will apply the credit earned in these courses toward the core course requirement in the student's certification. If the student's core-course GPA would increase by assigning a value of 2.300, this value will be assigned to the Passed courses. However, if the student's core-course GPA would decrease by including the 2.300 value for Passed courses, the student’s core-course GPA will be calculated based only on courses with assigned letter grades from other available terms (credit from these courses will still be applied toward the student's core course requirements). Note: This policy will apply to students from all grade levels (e.g., freshmen, sophomores) who successfully complete NCAA-approved Pass/Fail courses in Spring/Summer 2020.

What options are there if a student is enrolled in a UConn ECE course?

Per a recent decision by the University of Connecticut, extending the Pass/Fail option to UConn ECE students was NOT in their best interest, and indeed, would very likely damage a student’s ability to transfer those credits to other institutions. As a student who is not yet matriculated to a college, the receiving institution has broad freedoms to accept or deny these credits and a Pass/Fail grade would very likely diminish those efforts.

As is the custom, the Daniel Hand teachers will continue grading our students with numeric grades. At the completion of all ECE equivalent classes, the teachers will convert the resulting grade to a letter grade, entering them in the UConn ECE portal according to the requirements of their specific department.

If any student has been affected by COVID-19 (physically, financially, emotionally) or the transition to remote learning has put the student’s grade is great jeopardy, UConn ECE is encouraging students to use their best judgement and use the Withdrawal Form if necessary to safeguard them from a very bad grade, extending the students’ ability to use the form up to the end of class, but before instructors enter grades. Note: using the Withdrawal Form does not issue a refund for the course.

If you have any questions, please contact your school counselor or visit the UConn ECE website, see links below.

UCONN ECE

Withdrawal Link