Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) will begin implementing a new grading and reporting policy for students in grades 6 through 12 in the 2025–2026 academic year.According to MCPS, these modifications are intended to improve uniformity throughout schools, strengthen academic accountability, and establish precise standards for student learning.
A student’s final grade will be determined by averaging their grades from the marking period under the new procedure. The goal of this simplified process is to offer a more open and uniform way to assign final course grades. The updated policy will also include a number of other significant modifications in addition to the new grading formula:
Opportunities for Reassessment: Students will be given explicit instructions on how to retake or edit assignments, guaranteeing that they have organized opportunities to show that they have mastered the subject.Due Dates and Timely Feedback: To help students stay on track and comprehend their progress, the policy will place a strong emphasis on regular assignment deadlines and prompt teacher feedback.Districtwide Assessments: During the second and fourth marking periods, new summative districtwide assessments will be given for certain courses. A more comprehensive assessment of student learning and accomplishment will be made possible by these standardized assessments.
As stated in the MCPS one-pager on grading and reporting:
What is different now?
Secondary Course Grade Calculations: All students in grades 6–12 will be subject to a new final grade calculation. Starting in the 2025–2026 academic year, the average of the numerical grades from each marking period is used to compute the final course grade. The final letter grade will no longer be determined by teachers using grade calculation charts.
The average of the two marking period grades—which is determined by adding the numerical grades from the two marking periods and dividing the total by two—is the final grade for semester-long courses.
The average of the four numerical grades—which is determined by adding the grades and dividing the total by four—is the final grade for full-year courses.
End-of-Course (EOC) exams: Biology and NSL Government end-of-course assessments administered by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) have a 20% grade weight, equivalent to a semester B grade.
Summative Assessments for Marking Periods (MP) 2 and 4: Summative tests for particular subjects will be administered district-wide. Ten percent of the MP 2 and MP 4 grades will be determined by assessments. The identified courses will soon be listed.
Report Cards: The new method of reporting student performance will be reflected on the redesigned MCPS secondary report card.
Reassessment: Teachers will provide students at least two chances to reassess in the All Tasks category throughout each marking period in all secondary courses. The assessments listed below might not be reevaluated: final research papers, projects, or essays; final projects or performances; assessments at the end of the course; assessments during the marking period; compulsory district assessments; and summative assessments at the end of the semester.
Deadlines and due dates:
Ten school days after the initial due date is the maximum amount of time that any deadline can be extended.
During the last five school days before the end of each marking period, late work will not be accepted in order to guarantee timely grade reporting.
Assigning a 50%: Regardless of product or accuracy, teachers are not allowed to offer a grade below 50% provided the student’s work demonstrates progress toward the pertinent standards being evaluated. Teachers will still provide intervention and support.
Returning Student Work: Within ten school days, the student will receive their graded work back.
