Section V
Grades and Marking System
Policy Number: 3.0
Current Effective Date: 07/01/2018
Original Effective Date: 07/01/2018
Revision Dates: 04/13/2021
Revision Number: 1
Revision Summary: formatting updates
Responsible Official:
References:
3.0.1 The Marking System
| Letter Grade | Description of Student Work |
|---|---|
| A | Represents exceptionally high achievement. It is valued at four grade points for each credit hour in non-remedial and non-developmental courses. |
| AU | Audit. It has no value in computing the grade point average. |
| B | Represents high achievement. It is valued at three grade points for each credit hour in non-remedial and non-developmental courses. |
| C | Represents satisfactory achievement. It is valued at two grade points for each credit hour in non-remedial and non-developmental courses. |
| D | Represents the minimum achievement for credit. It is valued at one grade point for each credit hour in non-remedial and non- developmental courses. |
| E | Represents unsatisfactory achievement and indicates failure in the course. It is valued at zero grade points for each credit hour in non- remedial and non-developmental courses. Credit may only be obtained by repeating the entire course. (See V, 1.12) |
| F | Represents an unsatisfactory grade in a course taken on a Pass-Fail basis. The student who receives a grade "F" in a course shall not be able to continue into the next sequential course(s) unless the student meets the requirements for entry into the course by some other means. It has no value in computing the grade point average. Credit may only be obtained by repeating the entire course. |
| I |
Incomplete - Means that part of the coursework remains unfinished. It shall be given only when there is a reasonable possibility that a passing grade will result from completion of the work. The instructor shall not give an "I" grade when the reason for incompleteness is unsatisfactory. The instructor and student will contract requirements for completion of course with the time limit for completion not to exceed a maximum of one year; failure to do so will result in a change of grade from "I" to an "E". Each college shall maintain a record of incomplete grades recorded in courses of that college. This record, completed by the instructor at the time the grade "I" is reported, shall include: (1) the name and number of the student; (2) the course number and hours of credit; (3) semester or session and year of enrollment; (4) signature of the instructor; (5) a brief statement of the reason(s) for recording the incomplete grade; and (6) an adequate guide for removal of the incomplete grade. In the instructor’s absence, the division chairperson or the designee shall forward to the president or designee the appropriate letter grade to replace the incomplete grade. |
| IP |
In Progress - Represents enrollment in a course for which there is no expectation the work will be completed during the assigned term. (i.e. a course whose end dates exceeds the end date of the standard term). The notation will be assigned at the end of the enrollment term to indicate the course work continues and will be completed in the next term. Students will only be enrolled in one (1) term even if the course continues beyond that term. When final grades are reported the IP notation will be replaced with the final grade. |
| MP |
The grade of "MP" (Making Progress) may be assigned only for developmental courses
and means that the student has made significant progress but needs and deserves more
time to achieve a passing grade. The student should re-enroll in the course in order
to continue advancement to the level of competence set for the course. Grades may
be earned following re-enrollment for developmental courses. |
| P |
Represents a satisfactory grade in a course taken on a Pass-Fail basis. The student who receives a grade of "P" in a course shall be eligible to continue into the next sequential course(s). (See Section V, 3.21; Section V, 3.7). The grade of P may be assigned by the Community College/Technical College Appeals Board in cases involving a violation of student academic rights. It has no value in computing the grade point average (See Section VII, 2.4). |
| W |
Represents a withdrawal from a course without completing course requirements. A "W" grade shall not be assigned unless the student has officially withdrawn in the manner prescribed by the college. A student may withdraw from a course up to and including the date of mid-term or mid-session at his/her discretion. The mid-term date for courses that meet for the entire semester is the official date listed in the college calendar. The official mid-term/mid-session date for courses that meet for less than the full semester shall be noted in the course syllabus. At the discretion of the instructor, a "W" grade may be assigned after the mid-term date, and through the last class day of the semester or session. The course syllabus will note the conditions under which a faculty will assign a "W" grade during this faculty discretionary period. (See Section VII, 2.2). An instructor shall not assign a "W" grade unless the student has officially withdrawn in the manner prescribed by the college. The College Appeals Board may assign the grade of "W" in cases involving a violation of student academic rights (See Section VII, 7.0). In cases involving a violation of student Academic Offenses, the Board may assign a grade of "W" if the instructor refuses to accept a recommendation of the Appeals Board with respect to an appropriate sanction (See Section VII, 6.2). |
The following table summarizes the quantitative information for a three (3) credit course and the qualitative description for selected KCTCS grades.
| Credits | Grade | Grade Points Earned | Quality Points Toward GPA | Qualitative Description for KCTCS Grades |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | A | 4 | 12 (3x4) | Exceptionally high achievement |
| 3 | B | 3 | 9 (3x3) | High achievement |
| 3 | C | 2 | 6 (3x2) | Satisfactory achievement |
| 3 | D | 1 | 3 (3x1) | Minimum achievement |
| 3 | E | 0 | 0 (3x0) | Unsatisfactory achievement |
| 3 | F | - | N/A* | Failure (P/F grading option only) |
| 3 | P | - | N/A* | Satisfactory (P/F grading option only) |
| 3 | W | - | N/A* | |
| I | - | N/A* | ||
| Audit | - | N/A* |
* These grades have no value in computing the GPA
Formula to Compute GPA:
Total Quality Points / Total Credits Attempted
3.0.2 Courses Taken on a Pass-Fail Basis
Students with at least 30 credit hours and not on academic probation may select a maximum of two elective courses, subject to certain restrictions, to be taken on a Pass-Fail basis. Credit hours successfully completed under this option will count toward graduation but will not be used in calculating grade point standing. Courses taken on a Pass- Fail basis shall be limited to those considered as elective in the student's program and such other courses, which have been specifically approved for offering only on a Pass-Fail basis.
Students who elect to enroll in these courses will be expected to participate fully in the courses and take all examinations. With the instructor’s approval, students may enroll in Pass-Fail courses without satisfying course prerequisites.
Students may not change from a Pass-Fail basis, nor from a regular basis to a Pass-Fail basis, after the last date for entering an organized class.
Courses offered only on a Pass-Fail basis, remedial or developmental, or taken by special examination shall not be included in the maximum number of elective courses, which a student may take under these provisions.
Developmental college courses may be offered on a Pass-Fail basis and shall not be offered for credit toward a credential.
3.0.3 Audit
A student who desires to audit the class must officially register for the course. Programs with selective admissions require admission and prior enrollment as an auditor.
Any change from audit to credit by a student fully admitted to a college must be accomplished by the last date to enter a class and any change from credit to audit must be made by mid-term of the semester or session in which the student is enrolled. An audited class may be taken for credit at a later date.
In the case of courses for which concurrent enrollment is required, all courses must be taken in the same manner. When a change in credit manner is made for one of the courses, the same change must be made for the other course(s).
3.0.4 Mid-Term Grades
Students may request mid-term grades for courses in which they are enrolled. The grades shall be provided by the official midterm date for that course.
3.0.5 Reporting Final Grades
The final grades for a course shall be filed with the office of the college president (or designee) by such dates as determined by the academic calendar.
3.0.6 Changing Grades
A grade once reported shall not be changed except when the instructor states in writing that an error has been made. The grade change must be submitted by the end of the following semester or session or, in exceptional cases, at the discretion of the college president (or designee). However, each College Appeals Board may change a grade to P or W in the case of a violation of student academic rights or to a W in the case of an academic offense. (See Section V, 3.0.1; Section VII, 6.2 and Section VII, 7.0)
3.0.7 Grades for Students who Withdraw or are Dropped
From the end of the drop/add period through the official midterm date for that course, a student may withdraw from the course and receive a “W.” From the first day after midterm until the last day of course work of the session, a student may, at the instructor’s discretion, withdraw from a course, and the instructor may assign a grade of “W.” The student must initiate the official withdrawal. No grade will be reported for a student who withdraws by the last day to drop without a grade. (See Section V, 1.0.2; 3.0.1)
3.0.8 Grades for Non-Payment of Fees
No grade will be reported for a student who fails to pay registration fees in accordance with established policies.
