Dear DCSD High School Families,
Thank you for your ongoing dedication and commitment to our high school students. A year ago, I’m not sure we could have ever imagined or predicted the challenging months that were to come. We are grateful for your partnership, patience and grace as we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.
Many of our high school principals have raised concern about what they refer to as the “COVID Slide.” While our teachers are working harder than ever to keep their students engaged and to help them succeed, DCSD is still seeing a significant slide in student grades. As you know, grades are especially critical for our high school students when it comes to postsecondary plans, whether that be getting accepted into a college or university, applying for scholarships, or other plans after high school.
The first semester of this school year has consisted of many changes to our learning model from hybrid learning to remote and back again. Now, we are finishing the semester, including finals, in full remote learning. This presents a variety of challenges for our students and families. As a result, we agree with our high school principals that high school students should not be penalized for the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges it has created for our families, students and staff.
Therefore, DCSD has decided to adjust its high school grading scale for first semester 2020-2021 for our high school level, as outlined in the chart below (with the exception of Concurrent Enrollment courses). This new grading scale is for DCSD’s neighborhood, alternative and eLearning high schools. If your child attends a DCSD charter high school, please check in with them directly regarding their grading system. Concurrent Enrollment courses are regulated by the Colorado Community College System (CCCS) and the Colorado Department of Education (CDE), and thus will not be adjusted to the grade scale above (these courses must follow the traditional 10 point scale in order for students to earn college credit). As always, students must still earn a “C” or above in concurrent enrollment courses in order to earn credit on their college transcript.
DCSD NEW Grade Scale - First Semester 2020-2021
Applies to DCSD neighborhood, alternative and eLearning high schools
|
Grade
|
Current Grade Scale
|
NEW Grade Scale
|
|
A
|
90 - 100
|
88 - 100
|
|
B
|
80 - 89
|
76 - 87
|
|
C
|
70 - 79
|
64 - 75
|
|
D
|
60 - 69
|
52 - 63
|
|
F
|
Below 60
|
Below 52
|
We will assess grading for the second semester and will keep our staff and families updated.
We strongly feel this decision is the right thing to do for our high school students to ensure that their future plans are not derailed due to a pandemic that is out of their control.
Thank you again for your continued partnership.
Sincerely,
Corey Wise
Interim Superintendent
Douglas County School District
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