Biology Changes in Grading

Dear Families, 

This message is a reminder that, as outlined in your child’s course syllabus, changes in state regulation (COMAR 13A.03.02.06.E) from the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) now state that “students shall take the requisite Maryland Comprehensive End of Course (EOC) Assessment during its regular administration for science and US Government. For students entering the ninth grade in the 2023-2024 school year and beyond, EOC assessment shall account for 20 percent of the student’s final grade in the respective high school level science and government courses.” 

This new regulation will impact all ninth-grade students taking a required Biology or Government course this year in Maryland schools. You are receiving this information because your student is enrolled in one or more of these courses. 

As a result of the state regulation change, ninth-grade students enrolled in a required Biology or Government course will receive the full 1.0 course credit at the end of the course provided they earn a passing grade (60%). Anne Arundel County Public Schools has historically awarded a 0.5 credit at the end of each semester for courses. That is no longer possible with the new state regulation and students taking the required assessment in May.  

As such, course credit will no longer be awarded at the end of the semester for your student’s Biology and/or Government course and will not appear on the semester report card that you will receive later this month. The final course grade will appear on your child’s transcript as a 1.0 credit at the end of the school year after students take the required state end-of-course assessment and the results are factored into the course grade. The final grade for the required courses will be automatically calculated by AACPS and shared in the PowerSchool portal and report card as follows:

  • 1st MP: 20%
  • 2nd MP: 20%
  • 3rd MP: 20%
  • 4th MP: 20%
  • EOC: 20%

If you have any questions about this new regulation, please contact Mr. Kevin Wajek, Director of Instruction, at kwajek@aacps.org.

Thank you.