Assessment + Grading Process

Assessment + Grading Policy

Assessment is an integral part of the University’s core mission of teaching and learning. It is undertaken in a formative manner to provide feedback to students and in summative form to measure the level of student achievement. Through the assignment of grades by instructors, in the exercise of their judgment, assessment serves as the means whereby the level of student knowledge and achievement is communicated to a variety of stakeholders in the broader world including prospective employers, other academic institutions and accrediting bodies.

Read the policy document

Attendance

• Classes are organized around highly participatory, learner-centered activities. Activities rely on regular student attendance and participation. Students learn by participating so regular attendance is expected. Students are responsible for obtaining handouts or other information missed due to absence. Absence from sessions may result in grade reductions.
• In order to participate in classroom discussions and be eligible for a grade, students must have registered and tuition paid for the class.

Behaviour Codes

Code of Student Behaviour

Continuing Education students are required to follow the Code of Student Behaviour. The Code of Student Behaviour outlines information on academic and non-academic offenses and disciplinary procedures.

Included in the Code of Student Behaviour are descriptions of unacceptable behaviour for Students in the University, the sanctions for commission of the offences, and explanations of the complete discipline and appeal processes.

Academic offenses include cheating and plagiarism. The Code of Student Behaviour can be found on the Governance site.

Code of Applicant Conduct

Conduct by individuals seeking admission to the University of Alberta that compromises the integrity and fairness of assessment for admission threatens the proper functioning of the University. Procedures outlined in the Code of Applicant Behaviour relate only to Applicants.

Grade Point Average (GPA) Calculation

The Continuing Education GPA is calculated based on Continuing & Professional Education programs, and not graduate/undergraduate term classes. Note: currently failing grades are not included in these calculations.

Students may not repeat any university course passed or courses for which they have received transfer credit for towards their program except for reasons deemed sufficient, and verified in writing, by the Dean.

In cases where a student contravenes the above, the Dean (or designate) may withhold course credit or indicate the course as Extra to Program, on the course registration that contravenes the regulation.

The first passing grade is used to complete program requirements and is used in calculating your program GPA. When a student repeats a course, the repeated course is considered extra to program.

Only those courses applicable to your program and completed at Continuing Education will be used in your program GPA calculation.

Courses Extra to Program

Courses successfully completed while registered in a program at Continuing Education which are not used for program credit are known as courses Extra to Program. Such courses are not included in your program GPA calculation.

Course Repeat Process

Students may not repeat any university course passed or courses for which they have received transfer credit towards their program except for reasons deemed sufficient, and verified in writing, by the Dean.

In cases where a student contravenes the above, the Dean (or designate) may withhold course credit, or indicate the course as Extra to Program, on the course registration that contravenes the regulation.

When students repeat a course, the first passing grade is used when calculating the program GPA. Each course successfully completed thereafter will be considered Extra to Program.

Incomplete Grades

The grade of "incomplete" (IN) is normally awarded when a student is prevented by illness, domestic affliction, or other extreme circumstance from submitting an assignment by the end of class. When a grade of IN is awarded, the student is required to submit the assignment within the agreed upon time period with the programming unit and/or course instructor. An extension can be granted, normally to a maximum of four months after the end of the class. If the assignment and/or coursework has not been submitted by the prescribed deadline, a failing grade will be posted based on the course grading scheme.

Grade Appeal Process

Continuing Education has developed a set of procedures for learners who wish to appeal an academic decision relating to a final grade on a final project, or final examination received in a course or who wish to have a final examination or project reappraisal. These procedures apply to all students.

The Faculty will not act when there are insufficient grounds for an appeal or reappraisal. The following do not constitute grounds for an appeal or reappraisal:

• disagreement with or disliking the instructor’s marking scheme,
• disagreement with or coming close to the cut-off point for a higher grade, and
• disagreement with the instructor’s judgment of the quality of submitted work.

Only the following may constitute grounds for an appeal or reappraisal:

• errors in calculating mark or grade,
• procedural errors,
• failure to consider all relevant factors
• bias or discrimination, and
• lack of adherence to the content as stated in the course syllabus

To appeal your grade

Read the complete policies and procedures on grade appeals, then complete and submit the request form. Download full details and form

Student Ombuds

The Office of the Student Ombuds is a confidential service that strives to ensure that university processes related to students operate as fairly as possible. The Student Ombuds office offers information, advice, and support on academic, discipline, interpersonal, and financial issues. They are an office of University and Student’ Union staff.

The Office of the Student Ombuds participates in the development of University regulations and reports to the University on areas where there may be systemic unfairness in regulations or practices on campus.

Examinations

Conduct of Exams

Conduct which violates the rules of conduct for exams may also violate the Code of Student Behaviour. Amendments to the Code of Student Behaviour occur throughout the year. The official version of the Code of Student Behaviour, as amended from time to time, is housed on the University Governance website.

• Permitted References and Aids: Only those items specifically authorized by the instructor may be brought into the exam. The use of unauthorized personal listening, communication, recording, photographic and/or computational devices is strictly prohibited.
• Registration: Students may not be present in an exam or write an exam in a course section in which they are not registered.
• Communications: During the exam, all communications should be addressed to the instructor/supervisor. Students should not, under any circumstances, speak to or communicate with other candidates or leave their answer papers exposed to view.
• Brief Absence from an Exam: Students who need to visit the washroom during an exam must leave their papers in the custody of the instructor/supervisor and retrieve it upon return.
• Cancellation of Paper During Exam: If a student becomes incapacitated because of illness or receives word of domestic affliction during the course of an exam, the student should report at once to the Instructor/Supervisor, hand in the unfinished paper, and request that it be cancelled.
  • For final or midterm exams, the student must apply to their program for a deferred exam within two working days following the cancelled final exam or as soon as the student is able, having regard to the circumstances underlying the cancellation. See below for details about deferred exams.
  • For other exams, instructors may use their discretion to request supporting documentation. The student must contact the instructor within two working days of the exam or as soon as the student is able, having regard to the circumstances underlying the cancellation and present supporting documentation to the instructor if requested.
  • Should a student write an exam, hand in the paper for marking, and later report extenuating circumstances to support a request for cancellation of the paper and for another exam, such request will not be accepted. Any student who requests a cancellation of their paper and subsequently applies for or obtains an excused absence by making false statements will be liable under the Code of Student Behaviour.
• End of Exam: When the signal is given to end the exam, students must promptly cease writing. If a student does not stop at the signal, the instructor has the discretion either not to grade the exam paper or to lower the grade on the examination.

Deferred Exams

If you cannot write your midterm or final examination at the scheduled time, a deferred examination may be granted by the instructor, subject to the approval of the program office.

To write a deferred examination, you must first notify your instructor and then contact the program office. A fee of $100 is charged.

Deferred examinations are written at Enterprise Square during regular business hours, and must take place within one week of the original exam date.

The University recognizes that occasionally life events occur that require a student to miss term work, term examinations, or final examinations. However, excused absences are not granted automatically and will be considered only for acceptable reasons such as incapacitating mental and/or physical illness, severe domestic affliction, or for circumstances as described in the University's Discrimination, Harassment and Duty to Accommodate Policy (including religious belief). This policy is available on the University of Alberta Policies and Procedures Online (UAPPOL) website.

Unacceptable reasons include, but are not limited to personal events such as vacations, weddings, or travel arrangements. When a student is absent without acceptable excuse, a final grade will be computed using a raw score of zero for the work missed. Any student who applies for or obtains an excused absence by making false statements will be liable under the Code of Student Behaviour.