New Policy on Assessment and Grading System

Starting School Year 2026–2027, DepEd will implement key reforms in classroom assessment and grading.

These include:

• Transition to a 3-term school calendar

• Introduction of descriptive grading for Kindergarten to Grade 3

• Stricter requirements for academic honors

• Gradual phase-out of the traditional grade transmutation system

Descriptive grading focuses on a learner’s development and mastery level rather than assigning numerical grades.

It provides clearer information about a student’s progress and areas that need support.

Descriptive grading will apply to Kindergarten to Grade 3.

This supports early learners by reducing pressure and emphasizing holistic growth.

Kindergarten learners will be assessed using:

• Beginning (B)

• Developing (D)

• Consistent (C)

These describe the learner’s developmental progress.

Grades 1–3 will use the following performance descriptors:

• Advancing (A)

• Benchmarking (B)

• Connecting (C)

• Developing (D)

• Emerging (E)

These reflect levels of learning progress and mastery.

Yes.

Learners in Grades 4–12 will continue to receive numerical grades, but these will now be paired with qualitative descriptors for better context.

Numerical Grade       Descriptor Meaning

90–100 Advancing Exceeds standards independently

85–89 Benchmarking Progressing well toward mastery

80–84 Connecting Developing basic proficiency

75–79 Developing Meets minimum standards

Below 75 Emerging Needs significant support

This change is intended to reduce academic pressure on younger learners and allow them to focus on foundational skill development.

The emphasis for early grades is growth and learning, not competition.

Grade transmutation is the process of adjusting raw scores using a formula that may increase final grades.

DepEd is gradually shifting to a zero-based grading system, where grades more accurately reflect actual learner performance.

This promotes fairness and transparency.

The system is not designed to make grading harder.

It is designed to ensure that grades reflect true mastery of competencies rather than inflated computations.

The new system aims to:

• Encourage authentic learning

• Reduce unnecessary academic pressure

• Promote mastery of skills

• Provide clearer feedback to learners and parents

The new system aims to:

• Encourage authentic learning

• Reduce unnecessary academic pressure

• Promote mastery of skills

• Provide clearer feedback to learners and parents

Yes. Learners will still receive report cards, but these will now follow the 3-term academic calendar.

No. Learners will still be promoted based on DepEd’s academic standards and completion requirements.

Only the grading structure and reporting system are changing.

The main goal is to create a grading system that is:

• More learner-centered

• More transparent

• More developmentally appropriate

• Better aligned with the MATATAG Curriculum

Ultimately, the reforms aim to improve learning outcomes for every Filipino learner.