COVID-19 Guide for SENIORS and their familiesEvaluating Progress

Grades and Graduation Requirements

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Graduation Requirement Changes for Spring 2020 GraduatesWhat is the status of students scheduled to graduate in 2020?

To be eligible to graduate students need either 22 credits for a standard diploma or 26 credits for an advanced diploma.

Additionally, students need to pass a certain number of associated Standards of Learning (SOL) tests. When students pass certain courses and the associated SOL tests they earn a verified credit in that course.

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Graduation Requirement Changes for Spring 2020 Graduates (continued)What is the status of students scheduled to graduate in 2020?

Currently, an Advanced Diploma requires nine verified credits while a standard diploma requires six verified credits.

Standard Diplomas also require a Career Technical Education credential.

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Grading and GPAHow will GPA be calculated without a Quarter 4 grade?

Semester Classes:Semester long classes consist of two Quarter grades, a Semester grade (average of the quarters), and a final Year Ending grade (same as semester). The pass/fail grades are exempt and will NOT count towards the final Semester or the final Year Ending grade.

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Grading and GPA (continued)

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Teacher analysis of 4th quarter work warrants grade increase.

Most common practice

Minimal participation or progress

Grading and GPA (continued)How will GPA be calculated without a Quarter 4 grade?

Year Long Classes:Year long classes consist of 4 Quarter grades, 2 Semester grades (average of the corresponding 2 quarters), and a final Year Ending grade (average of the 2 Semester grades). The pass/fail grades are exempt and will NOT count towards the 2nd Semester grade or the final Year Ending grade.

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Grading and GPA (continued)

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The final Year Ending grade is an average of 1st Semester and the new 2nd Semester grade.

Grading and GPA (continued)Will students who take the modified at-home AP exam receive additional weighting on their GPA?Yes, we will continue to calculate GPAs according to School Board Policy IZA.

Points Per Semester Credit

Advanced Placement and AP Exam

Dual Enrollment, MVGS, and Advanced Placement Courses

All Other Courses

A - 5 A - 4.5 A - 4

B - 4 B - 3.5 B - 3

C - 3 C - 2.5 C - 2

D - 1 D - 1.0 D - 1

F - 0 F - 0 F - 0 8

Graduation Requirement Changes for Spring 2020 GraduatesREQUIREMENT WAIVERS:

● Students currently enrolled in a course for which they need a verified credit in order to graduate

● Students who have previously been awarded standard credit, but have not earned the associated verified credit

● Students who have not completed the student-selected test

● Students who are currently enrolled in or have previously completed a course leading to a CTE credential necessary for a Standard Diploma but have not yet earned the credential

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Graduation Requirement Changes(continued)● Students who have not completed a United States and Virginia history course

● Students who have not completed a fine or performing arts or career andtechnical education course

● Students in the second of sequential courses

● Students who have not completed an economicsand personal finance course

● Counselors will work with individual studentson some of these items as they may requiresome additional work although less than thecurrent requirement 10

Dual EnrollmentThe Virginia Community College System has made the change to allow pass/fail grades in addition to the traditional letter grades you are accustomed to. The goal of this decision is to help find the best possible outcome for each individual student. As a result, the following grading options are available:

● Traditional A, B, C, D, F

● Course grades count in the GPA calculation

● Course grades (with the exception of F) count toward degree requirements

● Only course grades of C or higher are accepted by four-year

colleges/universities at transfer11

Dual Enrollment (continued)Explanation of LFCC Course Grades of Pass (Student option):● P+ = equates to earning a “C” or higher in the course● P+ grade will not count in GPA calculation● P+ grade will count toward degree/certificate requirements● P+ grade will be accepted in transfer to Virginia public four-year

colleges/universities● P- = equates to earning a “D” in a course● P- grade will not count in GPA calculation● P- grade will count toward degree/certificate requirements● P- grade will not be accepted in transfer to Virginia public four-year

colleges/universities12

Dual Enrollment (continued)I = IncompleteStudents who are making satisfactory progress in a course but may not be able to complete this spring semester may request from their high school dual enrollment teacher the option of an Incomplete grade. An agreement must be reached between the high school dual enrollment teacher and the student for how this work will be completed.

W = WithdrawStudents who simply cannot finish a course have the option to request a withdraw. This request must be made by the last day of instruction. The LFCC transcript will show a “W” grade for the course.

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Advanced Placement Exams● The College Board made an announcement on March 20, 2020 regarding the

status of AP exams.

● The College Board will proceed with modified at-home exams.

● WPS will be paying for the costs associated withthese exams as in prior years.

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Advanced Placement ExamsExam Dates There will be 2 exam dates this year for each course. Students will automatically be enrolled in the new test dates between May 11th and May 22nd. The later testing dates, June 1st through 5th, are available only with school permission. The College Board is strongly encouraging all students to sit for the first exam, if possible.

1. Exam #1 will be between May 11 and May 22 -- just 5 weeks away!!

2. Exam #2 will be between June 1 and June 5

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Advanced Placement ExamsHow to Test

● Students can choose to type or handwrite their responses.● All exams can be taken with a cell phone, laptop, tablet, etc.● The College Board will provide training for students to learn how to do via

simulation.● Students may use any resources for content BUT cannot communicate with

other students. Protocols to detect impersonation, cheating, fraud, and plagiarism will be implemented

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Health Sciences Programs● Nurse Aide & Emergency Medical Technician students who have state

licensure requirements for practical skills that are unable to be met virtually will be provided an alternate opportunity to complete these requirements and state testing will be notified of the opportunity when it has been deemed safe and appropriate to do so.

● Seniors who have graduated will be contacted to extend the opportunity to complete programs regardless of post-graduation status.

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Should I be doing anything else?● Remain engaged in your current courses to ensure continued academic

growth and to remain connected to your school community.

● Work with your teachers, school counselors or administrators to address any questions or concerns you may have.

● Be proud and smile!

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