Santa Clarita Community College District

POLICY MANUAL

Policy: 508 - Student Services: GRADING

Section: 500

Date Adopted:  7/11/2001

508.1

  The determination of the student’s grade, in the absence of mistake, fraud, bad faith, or incompetency, shall be final.

508.2

In accordance with Title 5, Section 55758, the grading scale shall be averaged on the basis of the point equivalencies to determine a student’s grade point average.  The following equivalent symbols shall be used:

508.2A: Credit, No Credit Grading

The District may offer courses in either or both of the following categories and shall specify in the catalog the category into which each course falls:

508.2A(1) Courses wherein all students are evaluated on a “credit-no credit” basis.

508.2A(2) Courses wherein each student may elect on registration, or no later than the end of the first 30% of the term, whether the basis of evaluation is to be “credit-no credit” or a letter grade.  Once selected a student may not reverse the grading option for the course.

508.2A(3) All units earned on a “credit-no credit” basis in accredited California institutions of higher education or equivalent out-of-state institutions shall be counted in satisfaction of community college curriculum requirements.

508.2A(4) Units earned on a “credit-no credit” basis shall not be used to calculate grade point averages. However, units attempted for which “NC” is recorded shall be considered in probation and dismissal procedures.

508.2A(5) Independent study courses may be graded on a “credit-no credit” basis in accordance with this policy.

508.2A(6) For courses in which there is a single standard of performance for which unit credit is assigned, the “CR/NC” grading system shall be used to the exclusion of other grades.  Credit shall be assigned for meeting that standard, no credit for failure to do so.

508.3: Failure to Withdraw (FW)

The “FW” grade symbol will be used to indicate that a student has both ceased participating in a course some time after the last day to officially withdraw from the course without having achieved a final passing grade, and that the student has not received district authorization to withdraw from the course under extenuating circumstances. 

508.3A

For the purposes of calculating grade points, and for determining academic standing per District Policy 536, the “FW” symbol will be treated in the same manner as the “F”.

508.3B

For the purposes of determining course repetition per District Policy 539.  The FW symbol will be treated in the same manner as the “F”.

508.4

Per the California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Section 55758(e) the District will use the following non-evaluative symbols:

508.4A: Incomplete (I)

Incomplete academic work for unforeseeable, emergency and justifiable reasons at the end of the term may result in an “I” symbol being entered in the student's record.  The condition for the removal of the “I” shall be stated by the instructor in a written record.  This record shall contain the conditions for the removal of the “I” and the grade assigned in lieu of its removal.  This record must be given to the student with a copy on file with the registrar until the “I” is made up or the time limit has passed.  A final grade shall be assigned when the work stipulated has been completed and evaluated, or when the time limit for completing the work has passed.

508.4A(1)

The “I” must be made up prior to the end of the ensuing semester in which the Incomplete was assigned.

508.4A(2)

Students who have been issued an “I” symbol may not re-enroll in the same course while the “I” is pending completion.

508.4A(3)

An Incomplete may not be issued unless the withdrawal deadline for the course has passed.

508.4A(4)

The instructor must agree to issue an Incomplete.

508.4A(5)

The “I” symbol shall not be used in calculating units attempted or for grade points.  However, per District Policy 536, the “I” is used when calculating progress probation and dismissal.

508.4A(6)

The District board shall adopt and publish a process whereby a student may petition for a time extension due to unusual circumstances.

508.4B: In Progress (IP)

The “IP” symbol shall be used only in those courses that extend beyond the normal end of an academic term.  It indicates that work is “in progress,” but that assignment of an evaluative symbol (grade) must await its completion.  The “IP” symbol shall remain on the student's permanent record in order to satisfy enrollment documentation.  The appropriate evaluative symbol (grade) and unit credit shall be assigned and appear on the student's permanent record for the term in which the course is completed. 

508.4B(1)

The “IP” shall not be used in calculating grade point averages. 

508.4B(2)

If a student enrolled in an “open-entry, open-exit” course is assigned an “IP” at the end of an attendance period and does not re-enroll in that course during the subsequent attendance period, the appropriate faculty will assign an evaluative symbol (grade) in accordance with this policy to be recorded on the student's permanent record for the course.

508.4C: Report Delayed (RD)

The “RD” symbol may be assigned by the registrar only.  It is to be used when there is a delay in reporting the grade of a student due to circumstances beyond the control of the student.  It is a temporary notation to be replaced by a permanent symbol as soon as possible.

508.4C(1)

“RD” shall not be used in calculating grade point averages.

508.4D: Withdrawal (W)

Withdrawal from a class or classes shall be authorized through 50% of the term.

508.4D(1)

The academic record of a student who remains in a class beyond the time allowed by district policy must reflect a symbol as authorized in this Section other than a “W.”

508.4D(2)

Students may withdraw from a class or classes in verifiable extenuating circumstances after 50% of the term upon petition (to the Academic Standards Committee) of the student, or his or her representative, and after consultation with the instructor(s) or appropriate faculty.  Extenuating circumstances are verified cases of accidents, illnesses or other circumstances beyond the control of the student.

508.4D(3)

No notation (“W” or other) shall be made on the academic record of the student who withdraws during the first four weeks or 30% of a term, whichever is less. 

508.4D(4)

Withdrawal after the end of 50% of a term when the district has authorized such withdrawal in extenuating circumstances, after consultation with appropriate faculty, shall be recorded as a “W.”

508.4D(5)

For purposes of withdrawal policies, the term “appropriate faculty” means the instructor of each course in question or, in the event the instructor cannot be contacted, the department chair or division dean.

508.4D(6)

The “W” shall not be used in calculating grade point averages, but excessive “W”s (as defined in District Policy 536 shall be used as factors in probation and dismissal procedures.

508.4E: Military Withdrawal (MW)

“Military Withdrawal” occurs when a student who is a member of an active or reserve United States military service receives orders compelling a withdrawal from courses.  Upon verification of such orders, a withdrawal symbol may be assigned at any time after the period established by the district during which no notation is made for withdrawals.  The withdrawal symbol so assigned shall be a “MW.”

508.4E(1)

Military withdrawals shall not be counted in progress probation and dismissal calculations.

508.4E(2)

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