DO 70, s. 2003 – Revised Grading System for Elementary and Secondary Schools Amended by DO 79, s. 2003 – Assessment and Evaluation of Learning and Reporting of Students’ Progress in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools

August 25, 2003
DO 70, s. 2003
Revised Grading System for Elementary and Secondary Schools

To: Regional Directors
Schools Division/City Superintendents
School Principals

  1. General Policy. The grading system in elementary and secondary schools is designed to reflect consistency between the true level and degree of mastery of competencies by students in each subject area. In this way the actual effectiveness of the teaching-learning process may be correctly assessed by all concerned, including students, parents, teachers and administrators. Accordingly, the following policies and guidelines are hereby prescribed:
    1. Transmutation of Scores and Ratings. Test scores and other numeric or descriptive ratings shall be converted into percentage grades without applying a base percentage, i.e., perfect scores shall equal 100% while zero scores shall equal 0%. We disclaim the transmutation table that uses 70% as the baseline published in commercially distributed class records.
      This should not be followed. This table has never been sanctioned officially by the Department of Education (DepEd) and teachers should immediately stop using it.
    2. Passing Grade. The passing grade shall be 75% and should be a faithful reflection of student achievement of the competencies for the subject area.
    3. Weight of Periodical Tests. Periodical tests shall have a uniform weight of between 25% to 40% in all subject areas, with the rest to be distributed among the other components to be rated in each subject area.
    4. Lowest Grade on the Report Card. Any grade lower than 65% shall be reflected as 65% on the individual report card. However, the actual grade shall be retained in the class record and used for aggregating group performance at all times and for all purposes.
  2. Assessment Instruments. All instruments should be structured to assess achievement related to the competencies so that learners are motivated to learn the competencies not mastered.
  3. The rating system shall be discussed during the Educators Congress in Baguio City on October 7-9, 2003.
  4. Repealing Clause. All previous Orders and other issuances, provisions thereof, which are inconsistent with the preceding are hereby revoked or amended accordingly.
  5. Effectivity. This Order shall be effective immediately.

References:
DECS Order: No. 70, s. 2003
DepED Orders: No. 43, s. 2002 and 37, s. 2003
Allotment: 1—(D.O. 50-97)

To be indicated in the Perpetual Index under the following subjects:
CHANGE
POLICY
RATING

DO_s2003_70