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About course performance descriptors

Course performance descriptors have been developed for each Stage 5 Board Developed Course, based on the common grade scale. The course performance descriptors are professional elaborations of the common grade scale and, for each course, describe the main features of a typical student's performance at each grade.

The common grade scale describes performance at each of five grade levels:

AThe student has an extensive knowledge and understanding of the content and can readily apply this knowledge. In addition, the student has achieved a very high level of competence in the processes and skills and can apply these skills to new situations.
BThe student has a thorough knowledge and understanding of the content and a high level of competence in the processes and skills. In addition, the student is able to apply this knowledge and these skills to most situations.
CThe student has a sound knowledge and understanding of the main areas of content and has achieved an adequate level of competence in the processes and skills.
DThe student has a basic knowledge and understanding of the content and has achieved a limited level of competence in the processes and skills.
EThe student has an elementary knowledge and understanding in few areas of the content and has achieved very limited competence in some of the processes and skills.

In applying these course performance descriptors, teachers should interpret them in terms of standards that can be achieved by Stage 5 students within the bounds of the course. It is not intended that the Course Performance Descriptors represent a checklist, or provide a comprehensive description of student performance at each grade level. The descriptor that provides the best overall description of the student’s achievement at the end of Stage 5 will determine the grade awarded.

View the course performance descriptors for all Board developed courses

View information about assigning grades for Board Endorsed Courses and Content Endorsed Courses

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