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Overview

Table of Contents


Objective

Upon Completion of this KB the user will be able to search for Grade types within the Paradigm system.

Assumptions

  • The User has the minimum required level You have the level of access required to access the system System tab.
  • The User has You have an understanding that making changes within this section has function can have system wide implications.
  • You have an understanding of the grading system at your institution.
  • The User has You have an understanding of the Australian Tertiary Education System / VET Sector.

Key terms and concepts

Grade Types

Field NameDescription
Assessment GradeGrades that can be achieved for an individual assessment item
Competency GradeCompetency based learning grading
Unit GradeGrades that are achieved at the completion of a unit
Grade Point Average / Grade Pointgrade point average is a number representing the average value of the accumulated final grades earned in courses over time. More commonly called a GPA, a student's grade point average is calculated by adding up all accumulated final grades and dividing that figure by the number of grades awarded.


Fields within the Grade types

Field NameBrief Overview
Grade IdInternal system id code that identifies the grade
Grade Type IdInternal code that identifies the type of grade
GradeAbbreviated code for the grade e.g. HD, DN CR
Grade PointThe number of points contributed to the grade point average
Max Grade Points
OrderThe order or sequence number for the grade to appear in the drop box
VisibleIs the grade visible Yes (ready for use) No (Archived / not in use)
DescriptionFull name of the grade e.g. High Distinction, Distinction, Credit, etc.
Minimum MarkThe minimum percentage grade required to achieve this grade
Maximum MarkThe maximum percentage grade required to achieve this grade
Results Status IdThe unit status that is paired with this grade e.g. when setting a passing grade the status should be "Completed", and when setting a failing grade the status should be "Fail".
Contributes to Credit PointsIndicates whether this result contributes to a grade point average
Unit Results Grade
Outcome Identifier - National

The AVETMISS compliant national code for this grade that identifies this result.

  • Competency achieved / Pass
  • Competency not achieved / fail
  • Continuing Enrolment - Enrolment activity end date occurs in a future collection year
  • Credit Transfer
  • Non-assessable enrolment - Satisfactorily Completed
  • Non-assessable enrolment - Withdrawn or not satisfactorily Completed
  • Recognition of Current Competency - granted
  • Recognition of Current Competency - not granted
  • Recognition of Prior Learning - Granted
  • Recognition of Prior Learning - Not Granted
  • Result not yet available - Module is scheduled for Completion in the current collection year
  • Withdrawn
Allowed to Recalculate
Final mark Result

GPA Grade point Average (GPA)

Grade Point Average (GPA) is a summary statistic that represents a student’s average performance in their studies over a stated period of time, such as one semester or over the entire course. GPAs are numbers that are often calculated to two decimal places. They are used as indicators of average grade (numerically) to provide a less ambiguous and more concrete measure of student performance than a lettered grade. GPA is also used for sorting groups of students into rank order for awards and merits.

Grades and Enrolment Status Codes

Certain grades need to be paired with enrolment status codes. e.g a Fail grades needs to be paired with a Failed Status code so that the student is able to re-take the unit again in a subsequent study period and report the failed HEIMS status code for the unit.


Enrolment Status CodeGrade
EnrolledNo Grade / Select Grade
Completed
  • HD
  • DN
  • CR
  • Pass
  • NGP
  • Concede Pass
  • Withheld
FailedFail
Exempt
  • RPL
  • RPE
  • Credit for Prior Learning
IncompleteIncomplete
Withdrawn
  • WD (Withdrawn)
  • WN (Withdrawn Not Failed)
  • WPC (Withdrawn Pre-Census)
  • WF (Withdrawn Fail)
AuditAudit


Multiple Grade Schema

Multiple grades schema can be used in Paradigm at the same time for different Courses. For example a VET level course uses Competency Achieved / Competency not Achieved as opposed to a Higher Education Course that uses the HD, DN, CR, P, F system. When a Course of Study is established, the grade schema to be used for it can be selected as part of the set up. This is achieved by setting the Unit Grade type and the Assessment Grade type options within the Course record. When this option has not been set or selected (the field is left blank) the system will default to using the unit_grade for the grading system.

Percentages and Grades

When final grades are either entered or imported from LMS (e.g. Blackboard or Moodle) the system won't round grades up or down. For example if a CR requires a minimum grade of 60.0 and the student achieves a 59.99 the grade will be recorded as the lower grade of a Pass. 

Implications

Warning

Please note:

Updating grades will update historical grades within the system Please ensure that any changes made in the system will only effect the grades desired. If you have questions please contact the help desk for more information before making any changes.

  Changing any of the grade values will cause historical reports to print according to the new grade values. Consult with your "nominated contact person" or other Paradigm expert before making any changes. If you are the "nominated contact person" or Paradigm expert for your institution and need further help, please consult the Silverband Helpdesk for more information.


Note

Updating the grading system is not a frequent or regular occurrence, and is usually done when the institution is changing from one grading system to another e.g. from Letters A, B, C, etc. to HD, DN, CR, etc. or when adding a new grading system (e.g Vocational Learning of Competency Achieved, Competency not Achieved.)


Workflow

How to search for Grade types

  1. Click on the System tab in the side menu
  2. Click on the Search grade type Grade Type in the side menu
  3. Click on the Search Grade type ButtonType Image Addedbutton
  4.  Select on the Blue hyperlink next to the Grade type to be viewed (e.g. Assessment Grade, Competency Grade or Unit Grade)
  5. The individual grades within that grade type are now displayed on the screen 

Further reading

...

How to Add Grade Types

  1. Load all Grade Types by following the steps in the How to Search Grade Types section above.
  2. Click the blue hyperlink next to the Grade Type to be viewed (e.g. Assessment Grade, Competency Grade or Unit Grade)
  3. Click on the Add Grade  Image Added button
  4. Enter the new data into all of the required fields
  5. Click on the Save Grade Image Added button

How to Edit Grade Types

  1. Load all Grade Types by following the steps in the How to Search Grade Types section above.
  2. Click the blue hyperlink next to the Grade Type to be viewed (e.g. Assessment Grade, Competency Grade or Unit Grade)
  3. The individual grades within that Grade Type are now shown in a list on the screen
  4. Click on the Edit icon Image Addednext to the Grade Type to be edited
  5. Update the required fields
  6. Click on the Save Grade Image Added button


Further reading

Course - Add New (selecting grade schema)