Changing Grade Scale from 7 pt. to 10 pt.

Tammy Applegate

I'm looking for help. We are moving from a 7pt. scale to a 10pt. scale. What needs to be done to make this change? We are wanting transcripts to reflect this change too. Any help would be great!

Kristen Duval

@Tammy Applegate
Hi Tammy,
When you say you want transcripts to reflect this change, does that mean you need the upcoming school year and prior years to reflect the new grading change? Do you have a weighted GPA? Are you currently utilizing GPA Equiv 1 and/or GPA Equiv 2 from the grade translation table in your GPA calculation? Lastly, did you import historical grades in the last 3-4 years for High School students?

When changing a grading scale, things to consider are grades imported in prior years, grades recoded within Blackbaud for prior years, grades that will be recorded in the upcoming school year and whether or not GPA weight needs to be factored into your formula. Making sure that your approach accommodates all is key. I can point you in the right direction if you'd like to respond here or feel free to message me directly!

Tammy Applegate

@Kristen Duval Thank you! Yes, our High School students need their transcripts to reflect the prior years with the new grading changes. We do have a weighted GPA and typically show the weighted and unweighted GPA on the transcript. We are utilizing GPA Equiv 1 from the Grade translation table in our GPA calculation. I am wondering about the GPA Equiv 2 and if we could somehow use that to update our classes. Historical data was imported around 7 years ago when we started with Blackbaud On Campus. Since then, we have been adding grades to the program each year. I have also been told the rising seniors will need their transcripts to have the 7 pt. scale on their Freshman year and then the 10 pt. scale on their 10th-11th grade years. I appreciate the help!

Kristen Duval

@Tammy Applegate
Hi Tammy,
Happy to help!

You will want to create a new grade translation table for the 2024-2025 school year. This would be used specifically for grades recorded within Blackbaud going forward, as well as any transfer grades that you're going to be adding to student's records for the 2024-2025 school year and beyond.

New Scale: You'll want to set the GPA Equiv 1 AND the GPA Equiv 2 column in the new grade translation table to reflect the new 10 point scale.

Current/prior year/historical grade Scales: You can leave GPA Equiv 1 as is using the 7 point scale, but set the GPA Equiv 2 column to the 10 point scale.

A calculation using GPA Equiv 1 will look at the new 10 point scale in 2024-2025, but in prior years will look at the 7 point grade translation tables. A calculation using GPA Equiv 2 will look at the new 10 point scale in 2024-2025, and in prior years will also look at the 10 point grade translation tables.

You can still rollover grading if nothing else is changing. You will just want to make a note to update the Grade Categories in 2024-2025 for each grade plan grade to use the new 10 point scale once everything has been rolled. Are Freshman in 2021-2022 the only ones that still need their GPAs to look at the 7 point scale?

Tammy Applegate

@Kristen Duval
Thank you! Yes, the Freshmen would be the only ones on the 7pt. scale from the 21-22 school year.

Kristen Duval

@Tammy Applegate
That part might be tricky. Is this an accurate breakdown of how a rising seniors cumulative GPA needs to be calculated?:

Senior:
24-25: 12th: 10pt
23-24: 11th: 10pt
22-23: 10th: 10pt
21-22: 9th: 7pt

If so, I'm just wondering how to differentiate the GPA equiv. used between 21-22 and 22-23. If that's the case, let me know and I will think about it and can respond here or message you directly!

Tammy Applegate

@Kristen Duval Yes, that would be correct. Thank you!

Tammy Applegate

@Kristen Duval my email is tapplegate@goodpasture.org for direct messaging.

Kristen Duval

@Tammy Applegate
Perfect! I will email you shortly!