With the start of the 2025-2026 school year there have been policy changes implemented in Loudoun County Public Schools. One of these alterations  includes the new grading policy, policy 5030 which has stirred up some student and teacher opinions.  

Policy 5030 includes lowering the maximum retake score from 80% to 70%, which also means you can only retake if you receive a 70% or less. The policy also states that formative assignments can count up to 10% of your grades, including homework assignments. The 50% floor grade for quarters 1 through 3 will no longer count in Advanced Placement classes. 

The new policy leaves less to interpretation and is more explicit with what the standards are. “The new revisions in the grading policy assisted both teachers and students at having clarity in what are the expectations and how to achieve success,” English Department Chair Shelli Glynn said.  

With the retake score being lowered to 70%, the hope is that students will push to do better the first time on assessments instead of just waiting for the retake. Sophomore Olivia Parrish said, “It does push people to prepare more, and I do think it prepares you for life.” 

Science Department Chair Matthew Libuit also thinks that the new policy will help prepare better students for their future “There is a great cost for a retake when it comes to your course in college and also think about if you’re just going into the workforce, there are no retakes.” 

Math Department Chair Cindy Sokol believes that the new policy will build accountability in students as well as teachers. Sokol said, “The students are held a lot more accountable and in addition are still being held accountable as teachers.”