As students settle into the 25-26 school year, many are being made aware of the new retake policy; though not all are able to stomach it.
The assessment and grading policy, Policy 5030, has been revised for the 2025-2026 school year. Previously, the policy outlined that if students score below an 80%, they can retest and score up to an 80%. This was only applicable to major summative assessments. Additionally, Policy 5030 included a 50% grading floor for late or missing work.
However, the policy now states that if students score below a 70%, they can retest and score up to a 70%. The 50% grading floor also changed; it now only applies to quarter grades and does not apply to advanced placement courses.
Lastly, the policy states that students must complete all homework and formative assessments before retaking any major summative assessments.
According to an Update posted on the Loudoun County School Board website on April 10, 2025, the process of revising Policy 5030 began in August 2024. By January 2025, the policy was finalized and ready to be implemented.
The Update also stated that there were three main concerns amongst parents and staff members that prompted the change: formative assessments, retakes, and the grading floor of 50%.
Reactions amongst students and staff members have varied in regards to Policy 5030’s sudden change.
“The reduction to 70% as a ceiling on what students can earn is a reasonable one,” said English Department Chair Jason Walker. “I think that becomes a motivation to do well on the first assignment, but it also allows for students to learn and raise their grades to a level that is better than a D or an F,” said Walker.
Students believe that the changes were unjust towards students already engaging in school activities. “To me, having this retake policy is really unfair,” said junior Ayla Mateen. “They think a lot of students just don’t try on the original test because the students think they have an 80 percent retake in their pocket. But that’s not fair to every student who genuinely does try,” said Mateen.
Despite one’s opinion on the changes in Policy 5030, it’s clear that students must work with them; not against them, in spite of the difficulties this challenge may pose.