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