Grades

Instructors establish their own individual course grading systems, evaluation methods, and course policies. These become official letter grades when reported by the instructor at the end of the semester. Letter grades promote meaningful evaluation of student achievement, inform students of academic progress, and assess students’ readiness to advance. Officially reported and transcribed letter grades at LLCC represent the following:

• A: Excellent performance

• Exceptional command and understanding of subject matter
• Outstanding development of skills, including communication
• Clear evidence of critical and/or creative thinking

• B: Very good performance

• Advanced command and understanding of subject matter
• Above average development of most skills, including communication
• Evidence of critical and or/creative thinking

• C: Satisfactory performance

• Acceptable command and understanding of subject matter
• Average development of basic skills, including communication
• Some evidence of critical and/or creative thinking
• Adequate preparation to move to more advanced work in the field

• D: Minimally acceptable performance

• Minimal command and understanding of subject matter
• Some basic skills, including communication, are not attained
• Poorly developed evidence of critical and/or creative thinking
• Lack of readiness to continue in the field

• F: Unacceptable performance

• Inadequate command and understanding of subject matter
• Most skills, including communication, cannot be demonstrated
• Little or no evidence of critical and/or creative thinking

• P: Satisfactory completion
• W: Withdraw
• I: Incomplete
• SP: Satisfactory progress
• AU: Audit
• AP: Advanced Placement (equivalent to a minimum grade of C)
• CL: CLEP – does not satisfy the lab science requirement for BIO 101, CHE 101, ASD 101
• PR: Proficiency
• TR: Transfer Credit (Equivalent to a minimum grade of C)

The following system of grades appears on transcripts and grade reports:

* Used in computation of grade point average with the exception of grades earned in developmental courses, such as  EGL 100, after Aug. 1, 1986.

** The grade of SP may be awarded to students who have not yet completed all the requirements but are making satisfactory progress in developmental courses. A student receiving a grade of SP is expected to re-enroll in the course and complete the requirements necessary to receive a grade and credit.

Except as may be otherwise provided by Board policy, grades shall be posted online for each student at the end of the semester. Students may request in writing that a final grade report be mailed.

Grades Given Upon Withdrawal

A student may withdraw from any class by completing and filing with the college appropriate forms within the time requirements listed.

• No record of the enrollment will appear on the student’s transcript if a student drops prior to the first day of classes or during the 100% refund period.
• An instructor may withdraw a student with a grade of W, for non-attendance or non-participation, at the beginning of each term and at midterm when class attendance is verified (in compliance with Department of Education and ICCB rules regarding attendance and progress); a withdrawal can affect a student’s federal financial aid.
• A student may withdraw with a grade of W until the last day to withdraw as stated on the academic calendar.

Incomplete Grade

At the instructor's discretion, an incomplete grade may be assigned to a student who has met at least 60% of all course requirements, but, for valid and good reasons is unable to complete remaining coursework by the official end of the academic term. The grade of I carries no honor points and is not used in computing a student’s cumulative grade point average.

The instructor will determine a timeframe in which the course work must be completed. The timeframe shall be no longer than one academic semester (excluding summer term) beyond the semester in which the incomplete is assigned.

For example:

• Incomplete assigned fall term: Maximum time frame end of spring term
• Incomplete assigned spring term: Maximum time frame end of fall term
• Incomplete assigned summer term: Maximum time frame end of fall term

Should a student not complete the course requirements in the time frame designated by the instructor, the grade of I will be changed to a letter grade determined by the instructor.

Before June 7, 1999, an I grade automatically changed to an F after one semester if not completed.

Before Nov. 28, 1973, the grade remained an I but was calculated into the GPA as an F. (Note: As of Oct. 1, 1999, these I grades are shown as F on newly issued transcripts; however, those students affected can request a copy of their original transcript showing the I grade rather than the F.)

Some occupational or specialized programs may have policies mandated by external regulatory or accrediting agencies which supersede this procedure. Please refer to the individual programs for additional information regarding this and other policies which may affect a student’s academic standing.

Grade Point Average

The grade point average, referred to as GPA, compares a student’s achievement with that of other students and with the grading system represented by the grades A, B, C, D and F.

LLCC uses the four-point system. In this system, a factor of four is assigned to the grade A, three to B, two to C, one to D and zero to F. This factor is multiplied by the number of credits a course carries. The result is the number of honor or grade points earned in this course. So, a grade of B in a given course carrying four credits would earn 3 x 4 or 12 grade points.

A student’s GPA for a given semester or module is determined by dividing the total number of credits attempted into the total of grade points earned. The division is carried out two places to the right of the decimal. As an example:

43 divided by 15 equals 2.87 GPA.

A student's GPA is used to determine academic status including academic probation. The GPA for each student is determined each semester and appears on the final grade report. 

Grade Review

Any student who feels that a final grade has been unfairly or inappropriately assigned may request a grade review. Every effort should be made to resolve the issue informally before pursuing the formal grade review process. This procedure is not intended for reviewing the professional judgment of faculty regarding the assessment of the quality of work of their students and will not abridge, circumvent nor diminish academic freedom in any way.

Reviews are appropriately claimed, but not limited to, allegations such as the following:

• assignment of grades on the basis of factors or by methods not stipulated in the course syllabus;
• errors in the calculation or recording of course grades;
• inconsistency in the assignment of course grades; and
• assignment of grades on the basis of factors unrelated to academic performance or quality of work in a course (Board Policy 4.14).

For a copy of the Grade Review Procedure, visit Grade Review Board Policy 4.14 or contact an LLCC department dean.