Credit Recovery vs. Grade Suppression

If you have any questions regarding grade suppression vs. credit recovery, please read the responses below:

  1. Q: What does it mean to “repeat a course for credit?”

A: “Repeating a course for credit” refers to a high school course repeated via any delivery method when the entire Standard Course of Study for that course is being taught to the student for a second time. This concept is defined in North Carolina State Board of Education policy (NCSBE) GCS-M-001 with statutory reference GS 115C-81.


  1. Q: What is “grade suppression?”

A: “Grade suppression” is the technical process within PowerSchool that removes a grade from display on transcript and GPA/class rank calculations after a course has been repeated for credit.


  1. Q: Is there a difference between repeating a course for credit and credit recovery?

A: Yes. In contrast to repeating a course for credit, credit recovery refers to a block of instruction that is less than the entirety of the Standard Course of Study for that course and does not replace the previously earned grade. An FAQ on credit recovery can be found at: http://www.ncpublicschools.org/docs/accountability/testing/eoc/creditrecovfaq14.pdf


  1. Q: Does a student repeating a course for credit receive a numeric grade?

A: Yes. Only credit recovery issues a Pass/Fail mark, whereas, repeating a course for credit issues a numeric grade.


  1. Q: Can a student earn credit toward graduation multiple times when repeating a course for credit?

A: No. The student only earns credit towards graduation once.


  1. Q: Can a course be repeated at a different academic level? For example, if a student fails an honors course, can they then repeat the standard level version of the same course to replace their previous grade?

A: Yes. The course can be repeated at any academic level if it aligns with the same graduation requirement of the previously failed course. It is up to local discretion to decide what course equivalents can be taken to replace the previous course.


  1. Q: If a student transfers to a new school or district that does not offer the course they wish to repeat, does that school or district need to create and offer the course?

A: No. However, it is recommended that the school or district work with the student to explore other options such as using the North Carolina Virtual Public School (NCVPS)


  1. Q: If a student took a virtual course (e.g. through NCVPS), can they repeat the course in a face-to-face classroom and vice versa?

A: Yes. The course can be repeated via any delivery method.