Grading
Grade Scale
In a course of instruction for which grades are awarded, the instructor of the course will determine the grade assigned using the following grade scale:
Symbol | DEFINITION | grade points |
|---|---|---|
A | Excellent | 4 |
B | Good | 3 |
C | Satisfactory | 2 |
D | Passing, less than satisfactory | 1 |
F | Failing | 0 |
FW | Failing, stopped attending | 0 |
P | Pass - performance equivalent to a grade of “C” or better | N/A |
NP | No Pass - performance equivalent to a grade of “D” or “F” | N/A |
I | Incomplete academic work for justifiable reasons at the end of a term | N/A |
W | Withdrawal from the class and/or College | N/A |
EW | Excused Withdrawal for Extenuating Circumstances | N/A |
MW | Military Withdrawal | N/A |
IP | In Progress - a class was extended beyond the normal end of the academic term and assignment of a substantive grade must await completion of the class | N/A |
RD | Report Delayed - a temporary notation recorded when there is a delay in reporting a grade | N/A |
The non-evaluative grading symbols above (marked as “N/A” - not applicable) are not used in the calculation of GPA (grade point average).
Assigning and Removing a Grade of Incomplete
A written record containing the conditions for removal of the “I” is to be completed by the instructor at the time that grades are submitted to the Admissions and Records office. If conditions for removal are not completed after one year, the grade to be assigned must be part of this record. A copy of the written record will be given to the student and one will be filed with Admissions and Records.
The required work will be evaluated and a final grade will be assigned if the student meets the conditions within the one year allowed. Students may petition for a time extension due to unusual circumstances.
Taking Courses on a Pass/No-Pass Basis
Students are allowed to earn a maximum of 12 units attempted on a pass/no-pass basis. There are certain courses in which all students are evaluated on a pass/no pass basis only. These courses are specified in the course description in this catalog. All courses other than those included in the category above are available for the pass/no-pass option; however, courses specifically required for one’s degree or certificate should not be taken with this option.
Units earned on a “P/NP” basis are not used in the calculation of the GPA.; *however, when receiving an "NP," the units for that course will be counted as units attempted and considered in probation and dismissal procedures. (EXEC ORDER 2022-21 suspends the NP consideration in Probation and Dismissal procedures through the end of the 2022 calendar year.) One may repeat a course in which an “NP” was received. (The repeated course will not be counted as units attempted.)
Students selecting the pass/no-pass option and later wishing to receive the letter grade which was filed with the Registrar must submit the grade request form no later than one regular semester following the semester in which the “P” was received. Course units converted from pass/no-pass to a letter grade will not be counted in the 12 allowable pass/no-pass units, but will be used in the calculation of the GPA.
Grade Changes
The instructor of the course shall determine the grade to be awarded to each student. The determination of the student’s grade by the instructor is final in the absence of mistake, fraud, bad faith, or incompetence. The removal of an incorrect grade from a student’s record shall only be done upon authorization by the instructor of the course, with the following two exceptions: 1) If the instructor is no longer employed by the District and compelling evidence is available that there was a simple error in the grade submitted, the Vice President of Student Personnel OR Vice President of Instruction may change the grade; 2) If mistake, fraud, bad faith, or incompetence are present, the final determination concerning removal or change of grade will be made by the Board of Trustees based on the recommendation of the Superintendent/President. Administrative Procedure 4231: Grade Changes.