2012-2013 High School Curriculum Bulletin - McAllen ISD

Page 12ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT CLASS RANKINGClass Ranking(Graduating Class of 2002 and thereafter)EIC (Local)Beginning with the class of 2002, class rank shall be determined by weighting gradesrecorded on the academic achievement record (transcript) and calculating a weightedgrade point average for each student. The following weighting system shall apply:Course DesignationInternational Baccalaureate (IB)Advanced Placement (AP)Dual Credit Courses @ Achieve Early College High SchoolChallenge, Pre-AP/MYP, HonorsCollege Prep (CP)StandardAdditional Weight13 points per semester13 points per semester13 points per semester10 points per semester5 points per semester0 points per semesterOnly the following courses shall be included in determining class rank:1. English I, II, III, IV (or equivalent courses),2. Mathematics (all),3. Science (all),4. World Geography, World History, U.S. History, Government, History of theAmericas IB), 20th Century World History Top-ics (IB), and5. Economics.Other stipulations include:• Grade point averages and class rank shall be calculated at the end of thefreshman, sophomore, and junior years and at the end of the fall semesterof the senior year.• Courses taken in an accredited high school summer program for highschool credit shall carry a “standard” designation in determining gradepoint averages and class rank.• Numerical grades, including failing marks, shall be calculated in gradepoint averages and class rank.• A course taught in a two-period block for one semester as an alternativeto a year-long course shall be counted as two grades.• Core high school courses offered by an accredited school through distancelearning shall be included in calculating GPA and class rank.Class Rank ExceptionsRegardless of a student’s year of entry, rank in class shall be determined by thesystem that applies to the student’s graduating class. In addition, the followingtypes of courses shall notbe included in determining class rank:• Correspondence courses.• High school courses taken by middle school students.• Course credit earned through credit by examination with or without priorinstruction.• College and university courses, unless taught by District staff at Districtcampuses.• Courses in which credit has already been earned.• Courses in which credit is earned through the Texas Virtual School Network.Transfer StudentsIn the case of students transferring into the District with letter grades, letter gradesshall be converted to numerical grades for purposes of determining grade pointaverages and class rank. Such conversion shall be governed by the following:1. For transcripts that include grade conversion tables, the printed tables shall beused. Unless otherwise specified in a conversion table, the midpoint of a grade rangeshall be designated as the numerical grade and any fraction of one-half or more isrounded to the next whole number.2. If a grade conversion table is not included on a transcript, letter grades shall beconverted to numerical grades using the following scale:A+ = 99 B+ = 89 C+ = 79 D+ = 74A = 95 B = 85 C = 77 D = 72A– = 90 B– = 80 C– = 75 D– = 70F = 69In the case of students transferring into the District with numerical grades, thenumerical grades shall be honored at face value. A student who transfers into theDistrict with higher-level course credits shall receive weighted grades in calculatingthe grade point average, according to provisions in this policy, only if the same orsimilar higher-level course is offered in the District.Early College High SchoolFor a student graduating from the District’s early college high school, all applicabledual credit courses taken at the District’s school on the college campus shall beincluded. When a student who is enrolled at the District’s early college high schooltransfers to another District high school, the student shall be ranked within his orher graduating class in the receiving school, based on a weighted GPA calculated inaccordance with the rules applicable to the regular District high schools.Honor GraduatesThe rank of the top ten percent of each graduating class shall be determined bycalculating grade point averages based on grades earned through the fifth six weeksof the senior year. Averages of fourth and fifth six-week grades shall be weightedusing the grade point scale on page one of this policy. The grade point earned for theaverage of the fourth and fifth six-week grades shall carry half the weight of thoseearned for final grades earned in full semester courses.During the commencement ceremony, the top ten percent are rec-ognized as follows:Top 2 percent of the class – Summa Cum LaudeNext 3 percent of the class – Magna Cum LaudeNext 5 percent of the class – Cum LaudeEarly GraduationStudents graduating at any time other than the end of the school year shall be givena diploma after all graduation requirements are met. Rank in class shall be computedwith that year’s graduating class. Students graduating at any time other than the endof the school year shall not be eligible for valedictorian or salutatorian.Valedictorian/SalutatorianStudents who qualify for honors as valedictorian or salutatorian must have beenenrolled in the same high school in the District for their final four semesters, notincluding summer school.ConductTo qualify to give the valedictorian or salutatorian speech, a student shall nothave engaged in any serious violation, as defined in the Student Code of Conduct,during his or her senior year.