6A-1.09953. Statewide Uniform Weighted Grading System in Honors and Articulated Accelerated Courses

(1) Purpose. The purpose of this rule is to establish a consistent statewide weighted grading system for honors courses and articulated acceleration mechanisms identified in section (s.) 1007.27, F.S., ensuring uniform calculation of grade point averages across school districts in alignment with s. 1003.437, F.S. (2) Definitions. (a) For the purpose of this rule, “honors course” means a course designated in the Florida Course Code Directory and Instructional Personnel Assignments database as an honors level course and is aligned to Florida’s state academic standards. (b) “Articulated acceleration mechanisms” has the same meaning as provided in s. 1007.27, F.S. (c) For the purposes of this rule, “completion” means earning a passing grade, when credit is awarded pursuant to s. 1003.436, Florida Statutes, in an honors or accelerated course that awards high school credit. (3) Implementation and Requirements. Effective beginning with students who enter grade 9 in the 2026-2027 school year and thereafter, in accordance with s. 1003.437, F.S., and high school coursework taken by middle grades students in the 2026-2027 school year and thereafter, the following applies: (a) A school district grade point average policy must provide an additional weight for certain high school credit courses as follows: 1. An additional weight of 0.5 must be applied, upon student completion, to each honors course and to each secondary education course that leads to an industry certification as defined in s. 1003.4203, F.S. 2. An additional weight of 1.0 must be applied to each accelerated course as defined in s. 1007.27, F.S., including dual enrollment, which includes career dual enrollment and early admission, as provided for in s. 1007.271, F.S., the College Board Advanced Placement Program, the International Baccalaureate Program, the Advanced International Certificate of Education Program, upon completion by the student, and the Florida Advanced Courses and Tests (FACT);. (b) Students who earned high school credit while in middle school prior to the 2026-2027 school year will have their weighted credit re-calculated to be in alignment with this rule upon entering high school in the 9th grade. (c) School districts must calculate weighted grades and grade point averages using the following statewide 5.0 weighted grading scale: Unweighted Grade Standard Course Value Honors/Secondary Industry Certification Course Weight Accelerated Course Weight A 4.0 4.5 5.0 B 3.0 3.5 4.0 C 2.0 2.5 3.0 D 1.0 1.5 2.0 F 0.0 0.0 0.0 (d) Students who entered grade 9 in the cohort year of 2025-2026 and prior will continue to be subject to the grade point average policy applicable to their cohort through graduation. (e) School districts must establish procedures for applying the statewide weighted grading system to transfer students, including the evaluation and equivalency of out of country, out of state, private school, personalized education program, or home education program coursework. (f) School districts may not apply additional weighting beyond that specified in this rule for the types of courses identified in this section. (g) Weighted grades and grade point averages shall be clearly reflected on student transcripts and academic records.