Usual grading system in secondary school
Full Description: Most secondary schools use a grading system consisting of the Roman Alphabet letters A, B, C, D, sometimes E and F, with the letter I meaning "incomplete". These letters are linked to numerical grade scores. There is no national regulation on grading systems.
Highest on scale: A (Excellent)
Pass/fail level: D (Marginal)
Lowest on scale: F (Failure)
Main grading system used by higher education institutions
Full Description: Many institutions use either a letter grading system similar to that described for secondary school linked to a numerical system based upon points earned. The latter system is typically based on a five-, four-, or three-point scale. Some institutions do not use grades or provide them only upon request. Grading systems are determined by each institution.
Highest on scale: A, 4.0 (Excellent)
Pass/fail level: C, 2.0 (Marginal)
Lowest on scale: D or F, 1.0 or below (Failure)
Other main grading systems
Advanced research studies (Masters thesis, Doctoral dissertations), practica and projects or presentations in the fine or performing arts are often not assigned letter or numerical grades but rather evaluated on an "honours", "pass", or "fail" basis by the supervising faculty. NOTE: US grading systems at both the secondary and higher education levels are generally based on the principle of starting with an assumption of a perfect grade and then subtracting points for errors, omissions, poor expression, unsound reasoning, etc. Numerical scores are often converted into letter grades, or vice-versa. Since there are five common letter grades (A,B,C,D,F) and ten-point score ranges are frequently issued to denote letter grade separations, it is common for any score/grade of less than 60 (D) to be considered unsatisfactory. This is an important difference from systems where scoring begins at zero and points are added to achieve a final grade.
NOTES ON HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM
To WAC's current knowledge, there are no student support centers, services or agencies sponsored, controlled or operated by any nation or federal government that we are aware of. However, we have found a wide variety of student associations, service organizations and assistance corporations exists. They provide services of different kinds to students and their families. These range from disciplinary and professional associations to unions, financial institutions, health care associations, religious associations and others. Student associations and services offices exist at nearly every postsecondary institution and branch campus. Institutions also have specialized foreign student advising offices and foreign student associations to assist the special needs of overseas students and families. Local associations and offices provide information. There are no basic federal or national laws or decrees in the U.S. that govern the existence, nature, or operation of the postsecondary education community. The national government does not accredit institutions, regulate their operations, establish or monitor standards or curricula, or establish or govern the degrees and other credentials awarded. Responsibility for governing the conduct of higher education is decentralized in the various state governments. The federal Department of Education is restricted in its authority and competence to the following functions: (1) collecting and providing information and statistics about U.S. education; (2) providing leadership and influence in behalf of national education policies and initiatives; (3) administering programmes of financial assistance to students, institutions, and local and state governments; (4) conducting programmes of research and technical assistance; and (5) administering and enforcing the federal laws governing equal educational access and opportunity for all citizens and the core principles of academic freedom, autonomy, corporate existence, authorized degrees and other awards, and membership (student, faculty, or administration) standards.
Data can vary for each academic year
Source: International Database of World Accredited Learning, New York and London, 2010
Note on Higher Education Institutions: Also Public Community Colleges; Private Junior Colleges; Accredited Evangelical Christian Bible Colleges and Seminaries; Accredited Seminaries of various religious faith communities: Jewish Rabbinical Schools and Torah Institutes (Yeshivot); Accredited Islamic and Accredited Buddhist Religious Institutes; Accredited Government and Military colleges, Universities, and other Schools; Accredited foreign Institutions holding U.S. accreditation not listed on this list.
