A grade of 50% will remain the minimum grade that teachers are allowed to give for submitted assignments. However, teachers at the Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia may now give students zeroes for not turning in assignments. This is a change from a previous policy that made 50% the lowest grade students could receive for not turning in their work.
The way it used to be was that a student could get 50% for not submitting an assignment just like a student who did turn in an assignment that wasn't correct.
What Fairfax County Public Schools teachers can do
Fairfax County Public Schools teachers can give students chances to retake tests on material from past quarters to have their grades updated or replaced.
The lowest grade teachers can give a student for the quarter is 50%. Students who make a reasonable effort to finish an assignment also can receive no lower than 50%.
The district requires teachers to accept major assignments up to two weeks late with only a 10% deduction for that time period.
Reasons the changes were made
The changes were made based on input from students, teachers, parents, caregivers, principals, and staff.
The district faced criticism last year from parents who argued that the district's grading policy made it easier for students to achieve higher grades.
Upcoming new grading system
In the 2024-25 academic year, Fairfax County Public Schools will move from the 4-point grading system to a 100-point scale.
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