Grade Appeal
“Arbitrary and capricious grading” is defined in the following manner:
- A grade assigned on some basis other than performance in the course.
- A grade assigned through significant deviation from criteria stated in the course syllabus, assessment rubrics or articulated by the faculty member.
- A grade assigned by resorting to standards significantly different from those applied to other students in the course.
- A grade assigned as a result of vindictiveness or discrimination.
Students at American College of Education have the right to appeal a final course grade that they allege to be the result of arbitrary or capricious grading. To do so, the student would follow the Appeals Process as stated above. The deadline for appealing a final grade is Week 2 of the following term.
Grade Record Change
A faculty member or department chair can initiate an official grade change after official grades are posted due to computational or technical errors. Grades may also be changed from an “I” to an earned grade.
Grading
The College uses the following individual letter and numeric grading system. Grade point averages are computed on the following scale with points computed for each hour of credit attempted:
- 90 - 100% A - 4 points
- 80 - 89% B - 3 points
- 70 - 79% C - 2 points
- 60 - 69% D - 1 point
- 0 - 59% F - 0 points
The following symbols may also appear on the student’s transcript. These grades do not bear grade points and are not used in computing the grade point average (GPA)*:
- I = Incomplete
- TR = Transfer Credit
- P = Pass
- NP = No Pass
- W = Withdrawn
Important notes about grades:
- The credits attempted for courses with W grades are used in the calculation for cumulative GPA.
- Courses with a grade of “F” or “D” will not be counted toward degree conferral and must be repeated as listed in the Degree Conferral Policy
- All courses attempted will appear on the transcript. For courses that are repeated, only the highest grade will be used in the calculation of the cumulative GPA.
- Each student has secure access to a personal online portal account where they can access their grades within one week of the course end date. Students can also access their degree progress audit through their online portal account, which demonstrates their progress through their academic program.
Capstone Completion Policy: Students must fulfill all requirements of the Capstone course with a minimum of 80% for the overall final grade. Students who earn less than 80% will be required to retake the course in the next term.
Field-Based Experiences, including internships, student teaching, and practicums, require a minimum of 80% for each submission All submissions must be completed to receive a passing score or the course must be retaken in the next term.
Incomplete Grade
A student may need an extension of time to complete course requirements due to unanticipated circumstances arising near the end of the term. Incompletes are issued only in cases of extenuating circumstances, such as severe illness or life-impacting events. Incompletes are not issued in cases in which the student is simply unable to complete his/her work within the specified term.
Students are limited to two incomplete grade requests during their program of study.
The student must submit the incomplete Grade Contract and provide any requested documentation to be reviewed and completed by the course instructor prior to the end of the term. However, the student must have completed at least half of the course work to be eligible. Final approval of an Incomplete Grade Contract resides with the department chair or designee. The grade received at the end-of-term for incomplete work due is the grade earned.
Late Assignment
Due to extenuating circumstances, students may submit an assignment past the due date. (See the definition of “extenuating circumstances” below).
Procedures
Assignments
Students are responsible for contacting their instructor regarding all late work and to establish the deadline for late submission. Students may submit an assignment after the due date, but will receive an additional 10% deduction each day the assignment is late. No work will be accepted after the Wednesday immediately following the assignment due date with the exception of extenuating circumstances defined below. Technological issues are not considered valid grounds for late assignment submission. At the faculty’s discretion, late work may be accepted without a point deduction, dependent solely on extenuating student circumstances which will require documentation when asked.
Discussion Boards
Students may submit discussion board posts until the discussion closes on Saturday. Posts submitted after the Saturday deadline will not be awarded credit. Posts submitted late during the discussion time frame will be accepted with a late penalty.
Quizzes/Exams
Quizzes and Exams must be completed by the specified deadlines. Late submissions of quizzes and exams are not accepted except in the case of extenuating circumstances.
Peer Review
The peer review is a time sensitive element of the course as feedback informs future efforts. Students who submit the initial draft after the Wednesday deadline are responsible for contacting the professor to request a peer’s work to review. Late submission of the draft will result in a 10% penalty per day the work is late. No draft submissions will be accepted past Thursday. No credit will be awarded for peer feedback submitted after the Friday deadline.
Last Day of Class
No work will be accepted after the last day of class except in the case of extenuating circumstances or when an incomplete grade has been granted.
For Students Requesting Extensions Due to Extenuating Circumstances Only: Extenuating circumstances are limited to any emergency which can be clearly documented, including, but not limited to, a death in the family, medical emergency/illness requiring medical attention for the student or family member, or related urgent issues beyond the student’s control. The documentation must show the event resulting in the late submission occurred no more than two (2) days prior to the deadline. Students must submit all documentation within 48 hours after the original assignment deadline.
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