Computation of Grade Point Averages

 

The "focus semesters" for GPA computation go back two years prior to the present grade level of the contestant. If the contestant is a twelfth grader in September of the competition year, then the semesters that are used for GPA computation are all of the tenth grade, all of the eleventh grade, and the summer sessions between tenth and eleventh grades and between eleventh and twelfth grades. Likewise, if the contestant is a tenth grader in the fall, the focus period for GPA computations includes the entire eighth grade, all of the ninth grade, and the summer sessions between eighth and ninth grades and between ninth and tenth grades. This same "two year rule" applies to all students. Regardless of the system used to determine a GPA locally, these criteria must be followed to ensure uniformity and equity among all participants in the United States Academic Decathlon.

 

  1. Grades for courses shall be used in GPA computations for Academic Decathlon competition purposes if the nature of the course is based on theoretical skills and the assessments are objective in nature. Grades for courses that directly deal with the theoretical content covered in the Academic Decathlon curriculum and competitive events should be included in GPA computations. However, a grade for a course focused specifically on the Academic Decathlon should NOT be included in GPA computations.

 

  1. Grades for courses shall NOT be used in GPA computations for Academic Decathlon competition purposes if the nature of the course is performance-based. The skills that are developed in these courses tend to be more technical/vocational or hands-on, and the majority of a student's grade in these courses is performance-based and/or is subjective in nature.

 

  1. Inquiries regarding borderline courses should be referred to the State Director, who will make the determination based on the academic nature of the course, and who will then implement the decision uniformly throughout the state. The decision of the State Academic Decathlon organization and/or the State Director with regard to which course grades are applied to the Academic Decathlon GPA tabulation is final.

 

  1. For all alpha grades, all A's will count as 4.0, all B's will count as 3.0, all C's will count as 2.0, and all D's will count as 1.0. Anything below D will count as 0 points. When numerical grades appear on the transcript in place of alpha grades, they shall be converted to alpha grades according to the official conversion scale that appears on the school's official transcript or in the school's official profile.

 

  1. If a student receives a Fail in any academic course, the F is counted in averaging the student's grades even though no credit is given. When a course has been failed prior to the focus period for which the GPA is being computed but repeated during that period, only the repeat grade is counted. When a course is failed and repeated during the focus semesters, both grades will be counted in the GPA.

 

  1. Incomplete or pass/fail grades are not included in computing the GPA unless the student received an F, which appears on the transcript. Once a grade is given to remove an incomplete, that grade must be used to determine the Decathlon GPA. If only pass/fail grades are assigned, the State Director will determine an evaluation scale in concert with the USAD Competition Coordinator.

 

  1. Community or college courses are included in the GPA only if high school credit is given and the course is listed on the official school transcript.

 

  1. A grade, regardless of whether it is advanced placement, honors, regular, or remedial classification, will count the face value of the final grade as reflected on the official transcript. No weighting of grades for honors classes will be included, even if this is the local district policy. An "A" grade, therefore, will count 4 points for Decathlon computation even if it counts 5 points within the local system. Under no circumstances may an "A" grade count three points. The letter grade shown on the transcript will be used in computing GPA regardless of any plus or minus. State Directors may determine standards for eligibility for students from schools with non-traditional grading systems. Such standards should be communicated to USAD for approval prior to the state competition.

 

  1. If a school or a teacher has a policy of changing grades subsequent to receipt of advanced placement test scores, the new grade must be used for the computation of the Decathlon GPA.

 

 

EXAMPLES OF SPECIFIC ACCEPTED/UNACCEPTED COURSES

2005-2006 ACADEMIC COURSE GRADES FOR GPA:

                         

 

Conversion:                                                                  Conversion;

Honor              3.75-4.00 GPA                                    A  =  4             90-100  = 4

Scholastic         3.00-3.74 GPA                                    B  =  3             80-89    =3

Varsity             0.00-2.99 GPA                                    C  =  2             70-79    =2

                                                                                    D  = 1              60-69   = 1

                                                                                                            59- Under  = 0

 

Acceptable Courses                                Unacceptable Courses:

                                                                        (How to, skills-type non-book learning; Lab/

Academic Business Courses                             hands-on courses)

 -Accounting                                                     Agriculture

Basic Business Economics                                 Architectural Drawing

Business Concepts                                            Art: Ceramics, Drawing, Multi-Cultural,

Business Management                                       Astronomy (unless a Science credit)

Consumer Economics                                       Automotive

Intro to Business                                               Band/Chorus

Principles of Business                                        Child Development

Agri-Business                                                   Computer:

Agri-Science (theory)                                       Information Processing, Keyboarding,

Art Appreciation                                               Lab, Micro Applications, Software Courses

Art History                                                       Current Events (unless Social Studies)

Basic Communications                                      Drafting

Business Law                                                   Drama

Computer                                                         Electronics

   Literacy                                                         Engineering Graphics

Programming Language                                     Ethic Law (Theology)

Science (Theory)                                              Graphics

Creative Writing                                               Health Education

Criminal Law (Justice)                                      Home Economics
Debate                                                             Horticulture

Drama Comp (English)                                     Independent Study

Economics                                                        Industry

Engineering Design (Theory)                             Jewelry

English/Language Arts                                       Mechanical Drawing

Foreign Language Arts                                      Media Studies

Foreign Language                                             Medical Ethics

Group Problem Solving (Communications)        Metal Procedures

Humanities                                                        Morality and Issues

Imp Academic Skills                                         Multi-Media Communications

Journalism                                                        Personal Law

Marketing (Theory)                                          Photography

Math                                                                Physical Education

Music Appreciation                                          Printmaking

Music History                                                   Record Keeping

Music Theory                                                   Religion

Oral Communications                                       Shop

Principles of Technology (Science)                    Shorthand/Speed Writing

Psychology                                                       Stage Craft

Science                                                            Theater Arts

Social Studies (Contemporary Issues)               Typing

Speech                                                             Vocational Education Courses

Statistics (Math)                                               Word Processing

Writing

 

Questions regarding computations, contact the UAD competition manager. The guidelines above are the same for the United States National Academic Decathlon.