Apply schema-based gradebook calculations – 4000.4
Impact: Administrators
Updated Help Topic: Default Settings for Courses
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
We introduced a type of gradebook calculation that relies on a new Calculated schema option for custom grade schemas. When enabled, gradebook calculations will use the schema’s numeric Grade Names (e.g., 1, 5.7, 6.8) instead of the raw assessment scores. This enhancement supports grading models like the Chilean grading scale, where a zero score should be interpreted as a 1.
Example:
Three assessments are worth 100 points each and are scored as 0, 82, and 97. Each assessment has been set to use a calculated schema that maps those scores to the Grade Names 1, 5.6, and 6.8 respectively. If an Average calculation is performed, it will use (1 + 5.7 + 6.8) / 3 = 4.5, instead of performing the calculation based on the raw assessment scores and having the output translated onto a grade schema.
Image 1: Administrators can configure schema-based Gradebook calculations.
Image 2: Instructors have the schema calculations in their Gradebook.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: Admins can enable the system-level Calculated schema option for users via the Tools framework accessed via the administration panel under the heading ‘Grading schema - grade name value calculation’. When enabled:
- Administrators have access to a Use rounded scores setting that allows control over whether calculated results used in secondary calculations are exact or rounded based on the configured grade pill decimal settings. The setting is available in Admin > Course Settings > Grade Pill Settings > Calculation Precision and is set to OFF by default. Note that when enabling the setting, all cached calculated grades in the system are cleared and recalculated.
- Instructors have access to a Use "Grade Name" labels in gradebook calculations’ toggle when they view or edit a grade schema in their course. The toggle controls if grade schema Grade Names are used in gradebook calculations. The toggle is set to OFF by default. This setting is included when Grade schemas are copied as part of course copy workflows.
Configuration:
- Create a custom grade schema and enable the Use "Grade Name" labels in gradebook calculations’ toggle.
- Configure the grade schema and ensure that the Grade Names used are numeric and conform to locale-specific decimal formatting.
- Maximum of two decimal places is supported.
- Add the custom grade schema to all assessments that will be used in grade calculations
- Use the ‘Add total calculation’ option when performing gradebook calculations. Both points and weighted calculations are supported. Advanced calculations are not supported at this time.
- Ensure that the configured calculation is set to display in Points.