Regulation 6570-2

Instructional Decisions

Student Progress Report - High School

Reviewed and affirmed by the Board: 
Last Revision: 2025-04-22
Original publish date: 11/24/2009
Related policies & regulations:  
Legal references:  

 

The marks used for reporting student progress in high school are as follows:

The preceding marks are expected to be used according to the following guidelines:

  1. No other marks than those shown above are to be used on official records or reports.
  2. The marks “failing” and “unsatisfactory” are equivalent terms, indicating that student performance does not meet the minimum requirements established for the course.  A final mark of “failing” or “unsatisfactory” in a credit-bearing course means that credit hours will not be granted.
  3. The mark given at the end of each reporting period is considered an evaluation of the student’s status at the time (for example, the final mark in a semester course is an evaluation of the student’s status as of the close of the semester; not an average of two nine-week marks).
  4. Teachers may exercise professional judgment in distributing marks.  Marks are not expected to be distributed on a normal curve.
  5. A student who will remain a student in the Lincoln Public Schools the following semester may withdraw from a 9th-12th grade semester or quarter class during weeks one through three without notation.  If a student withdraws during weeks four through 11 of a semester class (weeks four through five in a quarter class), a “W” will be placed on the student record.  If a student withdraws during weeks 12 through 14 of a semester class (weeks six through nine in a quarter class), an “F” will be placed on the student record unless approval is granted for either a “W” or an “INC” to be placed on the student record.  Approval is granted by the principal or designee.  If a student withdraws during weeks 15 through 18 (weeks eight and nine in a block schedule term), completion of whatever work is possible for the semester (term) is left to the discretion of the teacher(s) and principal.  The student’s final grades are computed as of the student’s last day of attendance.
  6. If a student cannot complete the school year because it becomes necessary for the family to move out of the District during the last 15 school days (last eight school days in a block schedule term), the following procedures should be followed:
    • Completion of whatever work is possible for the semester or term is left to the discretion of the teacher and principal.  Teachers are not expected to give special final examinations nor are they expected to arrange for special make-up work or special reports,
    • The student’s final grades are computed as of the student’s last day of attendance,
    • The school indicates on the grade report the recommendations concerning placement for the following year, and
    • The Lincoln Public Schools have no authority for placement in the receiving school.

Weighted Grades

Weighted grades are given for identified, district-wide high school courses.  Courses that offer weighted grades are selected by a district committee.  Criteria used to decide if a course should offer weighted grades will include:

  1. Is the course rigorous?  Rigor includes:
    • The amount of time needed to prepare for the class each day.
    • The level, type and amount of reading and writing.
    • The complexity of class projects and products.
    • The degree of critical thinking required.
    • The pace of the class.
  2. Other similar criteria related to the expectations of students in the class.
  3. Have the course objectives been altered to meet the needs of students who learn quickly (e.g., differentiated classes)?
  4. Does the class offer students the opportunity to receive college credit (e.g., Advanced Placement classes)?

All curriculum areas may submit courses for grade weighting.


Classes that weight grades are open to all students.

 

Only a grade of “C” and above is weighted.

 

The grade point average on a student’s transcript will carry both a “regular” GPA and a weighted GPA.

 

Each school will communicate the weighting system to parents on a regular basis.

Academic Recognition

Honor roll academic recognition will occur at the end of each semester. Honor roll recognition is based on the previous semester’s (term’s) coursework, including at least 25 graded credits (not including (S/U). Four categories of academic achievement will be recognized on honor roll:

  1. Honor Roll:  Students with a weighted GPA of 3.5 to 3.749 on a 5.0 weighted scale.
  2. Honor Roll with Distinction:  Students with a weighted GPA of 3.750 to 3.999 on a 5.00 weighted scale.
  3. Honor Roll with High Distinction:  Students with a weighted GPA of 4.000 to 4.249 on a 5.00 weighted scale.
  4. Honor Roll with Highest Distinction:  Students with a weighted GPA of 4.250 and above on a 5.00 weighted scale.

The District will provide documentation of class rank based on cumulative weighted GPA for students if needed for a post-secondary institution’s application process. This request is made to the high school principal in writing or email by either the student or student’s guardian. Student Services will provide documentation of the student’s class rank.

Graduation Honors

A student’s cumulative weighted GPA will be used to determine the level of honor on a student’s high school transcript and for academic recognition at commencement exercises.  The following three levels of academic honors will be used:

  1. SUMMA CUM LAUDE “with highest distinction”:  Students with cumulative weighted GPA of 4.250 and above on a 5.00 weighted scale.
  2. MAGNA CUM LAUDE “with great distinction”:  Students with cumulative weighted GPA of 4.000 to 4.249 on a 5.00 weighted scale.
  3. CUM LAUDE “with distinction”:  Students with cumulative weighted GPA of 3.750 to 3.999 on a 5.00 weighted scale.
    • The cumulative weighted GPA will be used to calculate all academic honors.  Students must successfully complete the high school graduation requirements within four years.*
    • In the event that a miscalculation occurs, honors may be awarded after the fact, but honors mistakenly awarded will not be retracted unless the affected student was deliberately involved or complicit in causing the mistake.

Graduation honors (the Laude Latin model) will be determined following the second to last quarter (or term) of high school, and the student is required to graduate by the end of the next quarter (or term).

 

*Due to district S/U designation for EL courses, seniors who are current EL students or who were redesignated during their ninth- to 12th-grade years, may have an exemption granted by the Associate Superintendent for Teaching and Learning.  Students who study abroad may have an exception granted by the Associate Superintendent for Teaching and Learning.