Create custom Grade schemes in D2L Brightspace

Grading scheme samples

A grade scheme enables you to organize students performance on grade items into levels of achievement. A grade scheme can include any number of achievement levels. Each achievement level has its own range of acceptable grades and a symbol (such as a numeric value, letter, or text description) to represent it. You can create your own grade schemes or use schemes set up by your school (i.e. organization schemes).

About grade scheme ranges and assigned grade value

A grade scheme range is used when an activity uses a numerical grade item. If the assessed number falls within the defined range, the student receives the associated grade scheme and color where applicable. For example, in a Quiz, a student receives 72%. The Grade range for a B is 70-80%; therefore, the student receives a B wherever they can see grade schemes.

An Assigned Value is used when an activity uses a selectbox grade item. When selecting a scheme range from the selectbox grade item drop-down, the Assigned Value percentage is recorded in the grade book and the student receives that value where applicable. For example, in an Assignment for 20 points, a student receives a B. The Assigned Value for the B scheme range is 75%. In the grade book, the student sees 15/20 points and/or 75% as the numerical equivalent of a B.

Create a custom course grade scheme

1. Navigate to the Grades tool.
2. Navigate to the Schemes screen.
3. On the Schemes page, click New Scheme.
4. Enter a Name for the scheme.
5. In the Ranges area, enter your scheme details:
   • Using the Symbol column, enter the symbol you want to display when the grade is set. (Review the sample symbols in the table.)
   • Using the Start % column, enter the starting threshold for the grade range.
   • Using the Color column, select the color to provide a visual cue to identify grade trends.
   • Using the Assigned Value % field, enter the numeric grade you want users to achieve when you evaluate them using the grade scheme.
6. Repeat step 5 to enter the other ranges for the scheme. You can also remove ranges or add additional ranges.
7. When ready, click Save and Close.
8. On the Schemes List page, the new grade scheme is listed under the Course Schemes heading.
9. Under the Set as Default column, click the checkmark for the grade scheme to enable it for the entire course grade book by default. 
10. Click Yes in the confirmation window.

Create a Pass/Fail grade scheme

1. Navigate to the Grades tool.
2. Navigate to the Schemes screen.
3. On the Schemes page, click New Scheme.
4. Enter a name for the scheme, such as “Pass/Fail”.
5. Remove the #3 range by clicking on the delete (trash can) icon.
6. In the #1 range, enter “Fail” (or a similar word) in the symbol field.  Select a color (optional).
7. Enter a number threshold in the Assigned Value % field.  For example, we can enter 0% to indicate that students will be assigned a grade 0% to indicate they have failed the graded item.
8. In the #2 range, enter “Pass” (or a similar word) in the symbol field.  Select a color (optional).
9. Enter a number threshold in the Start % field that is higher than the #1 Assigned Value.  In the previous example, we could enter 70% to indicate that students with a grade of 70% or more have passed the graded item.
10. Enter a number threshold in the Assigned Value % field, such as 70%, which means that students will be assigned a score of 70% to indicate they have passed the graded item.
11. When ready, click Save and Close.
12. On the Schemes List page, the Pass/Fail grade scheme is listed under the Course Schemes heading.
13. Under the Set as Default column, click the checkmark for the grade scheme to enable it for the entire course grade book. 
14. Click Yes in the confirmation window.