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Grades and standardized tests can cause stress, for students and parents alike. But Durham Public Schools is working to make sure that academic success is measured fairly, consistently, and with student growth at the center.
In Part 4 of our handbook series, Southpoint Access breaks down how DPS handles grading, testing, promotion, and credit – and how families can help students stay on track.
🧪 Testing: What to Expect and Why It Matters
Throughout the year, DPS students take a range of assessments. Some are required by the state and some used by teachers and schools to measure growth. Here’s a quick guide to the major ones:
| Test | Who Takes It | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| BOG3 | Grade 3 | Beginning-of-year reading check |
| EOGs | Grades 3–8 | End-of-grade Math, Reading, and Science |
| EOCs | High School | Required final exams in select subjects (Math I, English II, Biology) |
| ACT | Grade 11 | College readiness benchmark |
| WorkKeys | CTE students | Career readiness certification |
| ACCESS for ELLs | English learners | Measures English language proficiency |
✅ Some of these tests help determine promotion; others affect school accountability or offer students credentials for college or careers.
📌 Policy Reference: 3410 – Testing and Final Exams
📊 How DPS Approaches Grading
Grades should reflect what students know and can do, not just effort or attendance. DPS expects teachers to:
- Use standards-based grading practices
- Make grading criteria clear and consistent
- Avoid penalizing students for behavioral issues unrelated to learning
Teachers may use quizzes, projects, class discussions, written work, or presentations to evaluate mastery.
🟡 Minimum Grade Policy: No Less Than 50 for First 3 Quarters
To prevent students from falling into an academic hole early in the year, DPS has adopted a minimum grade threshold of 50 for quarters 1, 2, and 3.
This doesn’t mean every student earns a 50 by default – it means no grade lower than 50 will be recorded, even for failing work.
The goal is to support recovery and give students a mathematical path to pass the course, especially if they improve later in the year.
🔄 Quarter 4 and final averages will reflect true earned grades.
🎯 Promotion Requirements by Grade Level
Knowing what’s expected helps students stay focused – and helps families intervene early if concerns arise.
🧒 Elementary:
- Promotion based on standards mastery, classroom assessments, and reading level
- 3rd grade students must meet Read to Achieve benchmarks in reading
👦 Middle:
- Students must pass English Language Arts, plus two of three core subjects:
- Math
- Science
- Social Studies
🧑 High School:
- Promotion is credit-based:
- 6 credits to enter 10th grade
- 13 credits for 11th
- 20 credits for 12th
- 24 credits to graduate (some schools require 28)
- Must include required core classes in English, Math, Science, Social Studies, PE/Health, and electives
📌 Families should stay in close communication with counselors, especially if a student is behind in credits or struggling in core subjects.
🧠 Credit by Demonstrated Mastery (CDM): Skip the Course, Keep the Credit
Some students may already know the content of a course – from independent learning, work experience, or prior study.
DPS allows those students to earn credit through CDM, a two-part process:
- Standardized assessment of course content
- Performance task or project to show deeper understanding
CDM is available for:
- Core subjects (English, Math, Science, Social Studies)
- World languages
- Select CTE and arts electives
🎓 CDM does not affect GPA, but it counts toward graduation requirements.
📅 Report Cards and Progress Checks
Students receive report cards every nine weeks. Grades and assignments are also visible in Infinite Campus, where parents can:
- Monitor progress
- Check for missing work
- Contact teachers
- Set alerts for grade changes
💬 Don’t wait until report cards – check Infinite Campus often and reach out to teachers with questions or concerns.
🔜 Coming Next: Part 5 – “Health, Special Education, and Mental Wellness Supports”
In our next article, we’ll cover how DPS supports the whole child – from medical needs and mental health to exceptional children’s services, 504 plans, and gifted education.
Get Connected
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Author: Wes Platt
Lead storyteller. Game designer and journalist. Recovering Floridian. Email: southpointaccessnews@gmail.com.
