Date of Adoption: October 26, 2001.

     Purpose: The primary purpose of the proposed changes is to make clear that a student's optimal academic performance is reflected in their grade point average.

     Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 180-57-050 and 180-57-055.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 28A.305.220.

      Adopted under notice filed as WSR 01-19-045 on September 14, 2001.

     Changes Other than Editing from Proposed to Adopted Version: WAC 180-57-055, subsection (2) word change and subsection (4)(b) word change and clarifying language.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 2, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 2, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 2, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
     Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.

November 20, 2001

Larry Davis

Executive Director

OTS-5044.3

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Order 15-88, filed 6/7/88)

WAC 180-57-050   Grade reporting and calculation system.   (1) The standardized high school transcript shall report the marks/grades earned by students in courses as follows; provided, that there is no requirement to adopt a marking/grading system that uses minuses or pluses or, if adopted, to report minuses or pluses on standardized transcripts:

(((1))) (a)		A	=	4.0
(((2))) (b)		A-	=	3.7
(((3))) (c)		B+	=	3.3
(((4))) (d)		B	=	3.0
(((5))) (e)		B-	=	2.7
(((6))) (f)		C+	=	2.3
(((7))) (g)		C	=	2.0
(((8))) (h)		C-	=	1.7
(((9))) (i)		D+	=	1.3
(((10))) (j)		D	=	1.0
(((11))) (k)		E or F	=	0.0

     (2) The minimal passing mark/grade is D = 1.0. Nonnumerical marks/grades such as pass/fail, credit/no credit, and satisfactory/unsatisfactory marks also may be used((; however, notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 180-57-055, these nonnumerical marks/grades shall be clearly identified and excluded from the calculation of grade point average)).

     (3) If high school credit is awarded on a competency basis as authorized under state board of education policy WAC 180-51-050(2), the district may use either of the following options for noting the students' performance on the state standardized transcript under state board of education policy WAC 180-57-070:

     (a) Determine locally the equivalent passing mark/grade as listed under subsection (1) of this section; or

     (b) Designate "pass" or "fail" in the appropriate manner on the transcript.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.04.155. 88-13-026 (Order 15-88), § 180-57-050, filed 6/7/88; 85-01-017 (Order 18-84), § 180-57-050, filed 12/10/84.]

     (2) The grade point value shall be ((calculated)) rounded by multiplying the numerical value of the mark/grade earned by the number of credits assigned to the course. ((Except as provided in WAC 180-57-050, all marks/grades for all courses taken shall be included in the calculation of grade point averages.))

     (3) Grade point averages shall be calculated to two decimal places and reported for each trimester/semester or other term and for the cumulative credits earned for all courses attempted in high school.

     (4) All marks/grades for all courses taken shall be included in the calculation of grade point averages except for:

     (a) Nonnumerical marks/grades shall be excluded from the calculation of grade point averages; and

     (b) The lowest mark/grade earned for a class/course taken more than once to improve a mark/grade shall be excluded from the calculation of grade point averages.

     This exception shall not apply to recurring courses. Recurring courses are not considered repeated courses taken for the purpose of improving a mark/grade. Recurring courses are those taken by a student to further develop their understanding and skills in the subject (e.g., journalism, advanced art or drama, concert band, etc.), or is taken by the student more than once to satisfy different credit requirements (e.g., advanced drama taken three times to meet an elective requirement, an art requirement, and the occupational education requirement).

[Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.04.155. 85-01-017 (Order 18-84), § 180-57-055, filed 12/10/84.]

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