Grading Schemes and Weighting
Grading Schemes
Set Grading Scheme.mp4What is a Grading Scheme?
A grading scheme is a set of criteria that measures varying levels of achievement in a course. On a course level, instructors can apply grading schemes to both students' final grades and individual assignments. Without a grading scheme, scores are not measured against any specific standard.
If you are familiar with Synergy's Grade Book Score Types, this is essentially the same thing, formatted slightly differently. Finding where to manage grading schemes is different than what this video displays. For instructions and an animated GIF, see the section below.
The following section goes over example Grading Schemes, these do not reflect any guidance from the Kern High School District. They are taken from Canvas's website guides.
Finding Grading Schemes for Instructors
To Find Grading Schemes as an Instructor
Step 1: Navigate to Canvas, log in.
Step 2: Open a course by selecting its name on the dashboard, or in the Courses navigation menu.
Step 3: Select "Settings" in the Navigation links for the course.
Step 4: Toggle "Enable course grading scheme"
Step 5: Select "Set grading scheme"
Step 6: Select "Manage grading schemes"
Step 7: Select the "Grading Schemes"
Common Grading Schemes
Grading schemes are built based on percentage ranges, and each percentage range is assigned a name value. You can create any type of grading scheme by editing the name and percentage range for each item.
Notes about Grading Schemes:
Grading schemes only support two decimal places.
The only scores allowed in the Gradebook are those defined in the grading scheme.
Gradebook entries that are not specifically defined in the grading scheme display a dash.
Disclaimer: The examples presented below were taken from Canvas's training materials.
Letter Grades
Letter Grades is the most traditional type of grading scheme and is the default format for new grading schemes. Remember, only supported scores are allowed in the Gradebook, so if you build a letter grade scheme with name values for only A, B, and C, you cannot enter a score that converts to an A- or B+.
In the Gradebook, scores are inputted by point value, percentage, or letter grade. For instance, if an assignment is worth 10 points and the student earns 9, you can input 9 or 90% (which will display as an A- as defined in the percentage range). You can also input an A- directly.
GPA or 4-Point Scale
GPA Scale Grading is designed for schools that use a 4.0 scale (or 5.0/6.0). This scheme is similar to the Letter Grade scheme, but letter grades can also be used. Remember, only supported scores are allowed in the Gradebook, so if you build a GPA scheme with name values for only 4.0 and 3.9, you cannot enter a score of 3.95.
In the Gradebook, scores are inputted by percentage or GPA value. For instance, if an assignment is worth 10 points and the student earns 9, you can input 90% (which will display as a 3.7 as defined in the percentage range). You can also input 3.7 directly. Inputting a 9 will not work.
Performance Based
Performance grading schemes are based on a standard of individual performance. Remember, only supported scores are allowed in the Gradebook, so if you build a performance scheme with the name values of only Excellent and Poor, you cannot enter a score of Good.
In the Gradebook, scores are inputted by points, percentage, or performance value. For instance, if an assignment is worth 10 points and the student earns 9, you can input 9 or 90% (which will display as Excellent as defined in the percentage range). You can also input Excellent directly.