GPA Calculations & Transcripts

Vinit Pathela

Agenda

• Welcome and Introductions• GPA Overview• GPA Formulas• GPA Data Access Tags (DATs)• Transcripts• Questions and Answers

How It All Fits Together...

GPA Calculation Methods

The building blocks of GPA

Gather your information…

• What kinds of GPAs does your school require?• When will you need to report GPAs?• Where will you display GPAs?• How will you calculate GPAs for individual

students?• Why will you be doing all this work? What is

the point?

GPA CalculationsPowerSchool comes loaded with four default formulas:• Simple• Simple Percent• Weighted• Weighted Percent

PowerSchool has three GPA types:• Cumulative—based on historical grades• Current—based on current grades (defined in Current

Grade Display settings)• Projected—based on a combination of historical and

current grades

Projected GPAs

GPA and Grade Scales

GPA Query Options

• Term (ex: Q2, S1)• Grade Level (ex: 7, 11)• School Year (ex: 2010, 2011)• Credit Type (ex: PE, Mat)• Only Include Grades (ex: that count in GPA,

that count in class rank)

In Terms of a Spreadsheet

Functions

Use functions to write GPA formulas:• Numerical• Logical• Statistical• Text• GPA

PowerSource Resources

https://powersource.pearsonschoolsystems.com• Creating a Weighted GPA using Added Value #5720• Formulas for Calculation Methods #6439• How it Works: GPA Calculation Query Options #7182• Troubleshooting GPAs #11148• “Simple” GPA Calculation Method Explained #55371• “Weighted” GPA Calculation Method Explained #55379

Most Used Functions (Round)

Most Used Function (Truncate)

Most Used Functions (Sum)

Most Used Functions (GPA_Sum)

Most Used Functions (GPA_GPAPoints)

Most Used Functions (GPA_Percent)

Most Used Functions (GPA_PotentialCredit)

GPA_PotentialCredit

Most Used Functions (GPA_Count)

The Parts of the Formula

round((sum(gpa_gpapoints())/gpa_count()),4)

The “Simple” Formula

round((sum(gpa_gpapoints())/gpa_count()),4)• Calculate the sum of the GPA points• Count the number of grades• Divide the sum of the GPA points by the grade

count• Round the result to 4 decimal places

Writing a Formula1. Write the calculation in common English

total GPA points divided by the number of grades

2. Convert common terms to GPA functions and add () to the end of the functionstotal gpa_gpapoints()divided by the gpa_count()65 GPA points / 18 classes

3. Add PowerSchool’s operatorssum(gpa_gpapoints())/gpa_count()65 GPA points / 18 classes = 3.611111111

4. Add mathematical operatorsround((sum(gpa_gpapoints())/gpa_count()),2)65 GPA points / 18 classes = 3.611111111

The “Weighted” Formula

round((gpa_sum(gpa_gpapoints()*gpa_potentialcredit())/sum(gpa_potentialcredit())),4)• Multiply the GPA points by the potential credit• Sum the products of the GPA Points multiplied by

the potential credit• Sum the potential credit• Divide the (GPA Points x Potential Credit) sum by

the potential credit sum• Round the result to 4 decimal places

Writing a Complicated Formula1. Write the calculation in common Englishtotal GPA points times potential credit divided by total potential credit

2. Convert common terms to GPA functions and add () to the end of the functionstotal gpa_gpapoints() times gpa_potentialcredit() divided by total gpa_potentialcredit()For each class (3.333 GPA points x 0.5 potential credit = 1.6665) total of 35 / 9.5 potential credit

3. Add PowerSchool’s operatorsgpa_sum(gpa_gpapoints()*gpa_potentialcredit())/gpa_sum(gpa_potentialcredit())35 GPA points / 9.5 potential credit = 3.6842

4. Add mathematical operatorsround((gpa_sum(gpa_gpapoints()*gpa_potentialcredit())/sum(gpa_potentialcredit())),2)35 GPA points / 9.5 potential credit = 3.6842

Where Do You Create Methods?

Create methods in the District Office mode.

District > GPA Calculations > Calculation Methods

Troubleshooting GPAs

If you’re having problems with your GPAs, check the following items or areas:• Grade scale setup• Courses and grade scales• Courses and added value• Section settings• Calculation methods and grade scales

Anatomy of a GPA DAT

The Method is the Master

Putting GPAs on Reports

Searching for GPAs

1. On the Start Page, click Special Functions > Search By GPA

2. Select which students to scan3. Decide which GPA to scan: cumulative, term,

current4. Format the GPA fields5. Click Submit

Create a High School Transcript

Questions and Answers