According to California Code of Regulations, Title 5 on Grade Changes § 55025, “In any course of instruction in a community college district for which grades are awarded, the instructor of the course shall determine the grade to be awarded each student in accordance with this article. The determination of the student's grade by the instructor shall be final in the absence of mistake, fraud, bad faith, or incompetency.”
A student who has a grade appeal shall make a reasonable effort to resolve the matter through direct communication with the instructor. If the student’s concern cannot be resolved, this procedure outlines the Course Grade Appeal process. The Course Grade Appeal process is not a legal proceeding.
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1. The student shall submit the following materials to the dean:
A. The name of the instructor, course ID, CRN, and semester of the class for which the grade is being appealed.B. A detailed summary of the actions already taken to resolve the issue, including accounts of meetings pertaining to the grade appeal, along with dates and times of said meetings, as well as any emails that were sent during the Step One Grade Appeal proceedings.C. A clear and concise statement detailing the reasons the student believes the grade should be changed.D. Copies of all pertinent documents, assignments, or related materials
2. Upon receiving the student's request, the dean will convene the Step One Grade Review Panel. The composition of the Panel is as follows:
A. The instructor of the course (the only voting member, due to Title 5, § 55025).B. The division chair (non-voting member).C. The dean (non-voting member).
3. The Step One Grade Review Panel will determine if a grade change is warranted. In a closed formal hearing:
A. The review panel will evaluate the documents submitted by the student.B. The review panel will discuss whether the grade change request is warranted.C. The instructor will reevaluate the grade assigned and conclude whether or not to change the grade.D. The result of the Grade Review Panel shall be communicated to the student.E. This marks the close of the Step One Grade Appeal.
1. Step Two cannot begin until both of the following conditions have been met:
A. The dean, after consultation with the student, believes that Title 5, § 55025 may have been violated.B. The student has completed the process of the Step One Grade Appeal and the Step One Grade Review Panel.
2. The student will submit the following information:
A. A clear and concise statement of the instructor's specific violation of Title 5, § 55025.B. The name of the instructor, course ID, CRN, and semester of the class for which the grade is being appealed.C. A detailed summary of the actions already taken to resolve the issue, including accounts of meetings pertaining to the grade appeal, along with dates and times of said meetings, as well as any emails that were sent during the Step One Grade Appeal proceedings.D. Copies of all pertinent documents, assignments, or related materials indicating that Title 5, § 55025 has been violated.
3. The Vice President of Academic Affairs, upon receiving the student’s request for a formal hearing will convene the Step Two Grade Review Panel. The composition of the Step Two Grade Review Panel is as follows:
A. The Vice President for Academic Affairs (non-voting member).B. Three faculty members from within the division of the class in question.
1. The Step Two Grade Review Panel will determine if a violation of California Title 5 § 55025 has occurred. In a closed formal hearing, the review panel will:
A. Receive a signed written statement from the dean, specifying all relevant facts as discovered during the Step One Grade Appeal Procedure and the reasoning and evidence to believe a Title 5, § 55025 violation may have occurred.B. Hear testimony, examine witnesses, and/or receive all evidence pertaining to the case, as determined to be necessary by the Step Two Grade Review Panel.C. Evaluate testimony and evidence in terms of Title 5, § 55025.D. Vote as to whether a Title 5, § 55025 violation has occurred.
2. If two of the faculty on the Step Two Grade Review Panel vote that no Title 5, § 55025 violation has occurred, the instructor’s original grade stands, and the Grade Appeal is closed.
3. If two of the faculty on the Step Two Grade Review Panel vote that a Title 5, § 55025 violation has occurred, then the Panel will review the grade that the student received.
A. If the Step Two Grade Review Panel decides to change the grade, the new grade will be determined by the three faculty members of the Step Two Grade Review Panel.B. The Step Two Grade Review Panel will designate one faculty member from the Panel to sign and file the official grade change form.