Some Work on the PLTW Course Weight Issue -- What Do Other Schools Do?

Southington High School (Southington, CT) -- PLTW weighted same as AP, designation "H"

Hamden High School (Hamden, CT) -- PLTW courses can be taken at two levels for different weights.

INTRODUCTION TO ENGINEERING DESIGN 029C/039C 1.2 credits, Levels 7, 9

PRINCIPLES OF ENGINEERING 032D/032F 1.2 credits, Levels 7, 9

Courses whose second digit is a 9 are advanced classes and receive the highest weight. Courses ending in 7 are above average, 5 are courses that are at grade level. 

West Haven High School (West Haven, CT) --  PLTW weighted by contract, same weight as AP

In order to further motivate students to reach their academic potential and maximize their academic experience, PLTW students can receive honors credit if the following conditions are satisfied:
* pass the end of course exam at a proficient level
* achieve a B or higher grade in the course

* complete activities, problems, and projects assigned to prepare them for success on the end of course assessment and enrich their PLTW experience

Farmington High School (Farmington, CT) -- PLTW weighted as honors, but not AP

Honor Roll and GPA While actual grades do not change per course, 5 points are added to AP course grades and 2 points are added to honors course grades in calculating the quarterly honor roll average and overall GPA on the transcript.

Wheeling High School (Wheeling, IL, a Blue Ribbon School District) -- PLTW = AP

Advanced Placement (A=6.0): A designation of "AP," Advanced Placement . . . District 214 also offers Project Lead-the-Way (PLTW), as well as a number of other courses, at the 6.0 grade weight. Many colleges and universities move students who successfully complete PLTW in high school to a higher-level engineering class freshmen year. Students taking PLTW in high school can earn college credit from a number of participating universities/colleges. Colleges may give credit to students who achieve an 85 percent average in their high school course, earn a 70 percent or higher on the college credit exam, and complete a portfolio of course work.

Independence School District (Independence, MO) -- PLTW = AP

Weighted courses are available in selected subject areas. They carry an additional grade point value and some offer college credit as well, due to the nature of the class. Weighted courses are determined according to the following criteria:

• Advanced Placement (AP - note: only if the AP assessment is completed during the course) and/or Honors 
• Project Lead the Way courses
• College Credit courses
• Honors Courses and advanced math courses

Courses taken in Advanced Placement, Project Lead the Way, or college credit formats will receive added grade points in the grading system ONLY if the students take the AP exam, successfully complete a PLTW course, or earn college credit at the end of the coursework. Students enrolled in Honors or Project Lead the Way (PLTW) courses will receive a weighted value of .50 on a 4.0 scale. Students enrolled in an advanced math course, AP or college credit courses will receive a weighted value of 1.0 on a 4.0 scale