<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".08" citation="COMAR 13A.03.02.08" title_num="13A" subtitle_num="03" chapter_num="02" heading="Grading and Reporting.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>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.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>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:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>An explanation of the grading scale at the elementary and secondary levels;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>An explanation of the calculation of the final grade for a course;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>An explanation of weights of honors, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and dual enrollment courses;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>An explanation of how attendance factors into the student’s grade;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>An explanation of grade changing procedures, including:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>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.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The names of personnel at the school and central office level authorized to make final grade changes;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Documentation that authorized personnel are required to maintain to support the final grade changes, including, at a minimum the:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Name of teacher requesting grade change;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Reason for the grade change;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Signature of person approving the grade change;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>Reason for the approval;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(v)">
          <text>Date of the approval; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(vi)">
          <text>Signature of the principal;</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>How and when the school system will audit the validity of the grade changes each year; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Appeal procedures.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>On October 1 of each school year, each local school system shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>File its policy on grading and reporting with State Superintendent of Schools; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Submit a copy of the grade change validity audit in accordance with §B(5)(d) of this regulation to the State Superintendent of Schools.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Upon submission of the items contained in §C of this regulation, the Maryland State Department of Education will:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Verify that the local school system has met the requirements of this regulation; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>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.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>