Sec. 13a.03.02.08. Grading and Reporting

A. Each school system in Maryland shall recognize and accept any and all credits a student earned toward graduation in any other public school in Maryland.

B. Each local school system shall develop a written policy on grading and reporting that complies with the student record requirements as set forth in COMAR 13A.08.02 and that includes:

(1) An explanation of the grading scale at the elementary and secondary levels;

(2) An explanation of the calculation of the final grade for a course;

(3) An explanation of weights of honors, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and/or dual enrollment courses;

(4) An explanation of how attendance factors into the student’s grade;

(5) An explanation of grade changing procedures, including:

(a) A timeline for final grade changes that cannot exceed 45 school days following the last day of the grading period. For a change of grade for the fourth marking period, the timeline would begin on the first day of school in the new school year.

(b) The names of personnel at the school and central office level authorized to make final grade changes;

(c) Documentation that authorized personnel are required to maintain to support the final grade changes, including, at a minimum the:

(i) Name of teacher requesting grade change;

(ii) Reason for the grade change;

(iii) Signature of person approving the grade change;

(iv) Reason for the approval;

(v) Date of the approval; and

(vi) Signature of the principal;

(d) How and when the school system will audit the validity of the grade changes each year; and

(e) Appeal procedures.

C. On October 1 of each school year, each local school system shall:

(1) File its policy on grading and reporting with State Superintendent of Schools; and

(2) Submit a copy of the grade change validity audit in accordance with §B(5)(d) of this regulation to the State Superintendent of Schools.

D. Upon submission of the items contained in §C of this regulation, the Maryland State Department of Education will:

(1) Verify that the local school system has met the requirements of this regulation; or

(2) Direct the local school system to develop a corrective action plan to bring it into compliance with this regulation and monitor the school system’s progress in completing its corrective action.