Grading Methodology
Background Information
Every spring, students in grades 3 through 8 and grade 10 statewide are tested in the subjects of math and English language arts (ELA). The results of those tests are reported on the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) website.
With the new (lower) proficiency standards introduced in 2025, students earn a score in each subject ranging from 400 to 700. KSDE has developed a "cut score" system for translating those scores into four performance categories. Cut scores may vary by grade level and are different for math and ELA.
English Language Arts
| Grade | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 510 | 540 | 609 |
| 4 | 510 | 540 | 607 |
| 5 | 510 | 540 | 600 |
| 6 | 510 | 540 | 593 |
| 7 | 510 | 540 | 600 |
| 8 | 510 | 540 | 594 |
| 10 | 510 | 540 | 588 |
Mathematics
| Grade | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 510 | 540 | 570 |
| 4 | 510 | 540 | 579 |
| 5 | 510 | 540 | 599 |
| 6 | 510 | 540 | 596 |
| 7 | 510 | 540 | 603 |
| 8 | 510 | 540 | 594 |
| 10 | 510 | 540 | 600 |
These tables show how KSDE distributed scores starting in 2025, followed by the description for each level.
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Level 1 – Indicates a student shows a limited ability to demonstrate their knowledge and skills.
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Level 2 – Indicates a student shows a basic ability to demonstrate their knowledge and skills.
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Level 3 – Indicates a student shows a proficient ability to demonstrate their knowledge and skills.
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Level 4 – Indicates a student shows an advanced ability to demonstrate their knowledge and skills.
Methodology
Establishing letter grades based on cut scores is the first step in calculating the letter grades presented on the "A-F Grading for Kansas Schools." The second step is to get grade-level data for every school and assign each grade level within a school four separate grades based on the average scale score for each of these categories:
- Math results for low-income students
- Math results for all other students
- ELA results for low-income students
- ELA results for all other students
The next step is to calculate an average for those grades based on a four-point scale:
- A – 4 points
- B – 3 points
- C – 2 points
- D – 1 point
- F – 0 points
Finally, that arithmetic average is translated back into one letter grade based on these ranges:
- A – 3.5 to 4.0
- B – 2.50 to 3.49
- C – 1.50 to 2.49
- D – 0.50 to 1.49
- F – Below 0.5
Examples
- A high school (only 10th graders are tested) has the following four results:
| Category | Avg Scale Score | Letter Grade | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Math/ low income | 512 | D | 1 |
| Math/ all others | 545 | B | 3 |
| ELA/ low income | 530 | C | 2 |
| ELA/ all others | 557 | B | 3 |
9 (total points) / 4 (grades) = 2.3 GPA
Overall school grade – C
- An elementary school (3rd, 4th, 5th grades tested) has the following 12 results:
| Grade/Category | Avg Scale Score | Grade | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd Math/low income | 530 | C | 2 |
| 3rd Math/all others | 540 | B | 3 |
| 3rd ELA/low income | 545 | B | 3 |
| 3rd ELA/all others | 546 | B | 3 |
| 4th Math/low income | 543 | B | 3 |
| 4th Math/all others | 590 | A | 4 |
| 4th ELA/low income | 550 | B | 3 |
| 4th ELA/all others | 615 | A | 4 |
| 5th Math/low income | 512 | D | 1 |
| 5th Math/all others | 538 | C | 2 |
| 5th ELA/low income | 543 | B | 3 |
| 5th ELA/all others | 546 | B | 3 |
34 (total points) / 12 (grades) = 2.8 GPA
Overall school grade – B