Grading system for the M.Ed. program

Graduation is dependent upon the quality and completion of course work, as well as evidence of development in professional standards during the 33 hours required to complete the Master of Education in Elementary, Gifted or Special Education. Students will be evaluated using the following grade scale:

A “B” is considered average for graduate work. The expectations should be high for graduate students and B’s accordingly should be expected. The M.Ed. program does not give D’s as final grades, as they are not considered passing.

A - Distinguished Performance

Excellent work that demonstrates not only a clear understanding of the material but also a superior ability to utilize that material in the assignment submitted. All criteria are met. The student’s work goes beyond the task and contains additional, unexpected or outstanding features.

B - Average Performance

A solid piece of work that demonstrates a good understanding of the material under study and utilizes that material well in the assignment submitted. The student meets the assignment criteria, with few errors or omissions, but there are few additional, unexpected or outstanding features. A “B” is average for graduate work. The average expectations should be high for graduate students, and B’s accordingly should be expected.

C - Weak Performance

Work that demonstrates a technical, or basic, understanding of the material under study and which utilizes that material adequately in the assignment submitted. The work meets the assignment criteria. In the graduate program, C’s cannot really be seen as “average.” After all, a student cannot remain in the program if 2 C’s are made. As such, they must be seen as “weak” rather than “average.”

F - Unsatisfactory

Work is incomplete, inappropriate and/or shows little or no comprehension of the class material in the assignment submitted.