Blackboard Ultra (Faculty) - Gradebook: Grading Schema

Accessing the Grading Schema

To access the Grading Schema settings in Blackboard Ultra, follow these steps:

1. In your course, click the Gradebook tab in the navigation bar.
2. In the Gradebook, click the Settings icon (gear icon) in the upper-right corner.
3. In the Gradebook Settings panel, select Manage Grading Schemas.
   
   

Customizing the Grading Schema

The default grading schema displays letter grades with corresponding percentage ranges. Instructors can choose to copy existing grade schemas and customize the copy, customize the original schemas, or create new grade schemas. Schemas can be assigned to specific columns. 

Edit or Create Schemas

1. For the schema that is selected, users can edit the name using the pencil icon, or use the 3-dot menu to create a copy or delete the schema. Instructors can only delete a schema if it is not attached to a column in the gradebook. 
   
   
   
   
2. To create a new schema, use the plus sign next to Add in the Grade Schemas list. 
   
   

Editing Existing Grade Names and Ranges

1. On the Manage Grading Schemas page, click the schema you want to edit (e.g., Letter). The Grade Name table displays on the right side of the window.
2. To edit a grade name and range, click the 3-dot menu for the letter range to edit. The percentage value boxes become editable text fields. 
   Note: Ultra will not allow you to create overlapping score possibilities within the same schema and will auto-update as you edit. 
   
   
   
   
3. Enter the new percentage value and click outside the field to save.
   
   
   
   
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for each grade range you want to modify.
5. Click Save at the bottom to apply all changes to the schema. 
   
   

Adding New Grade Levels

1. On the Manage Grading Schemas page, click the plus sign (+) that appears when you hover your mouse below any existing grade name where you want to add the new grade level.
   
2. Enter the grade symbol (e.g., A+) in the Grade Name field.
3. Enter the starting percentage for the new grade level in the editable text field.
   
   

Deleting Grade Levels

1. On the Manage Grading Schemas page, click the trash can icon next to the grade level you want to delete. 
   
2. To confirm the deletion, click Save on the Schema. To restore the deleted grade level, Cancel, and the deleted grade level will return to the schema. 
   

Best Practices

• Ensure that your grading schema aligns with your course syllabus.
• Communicate any changes to the grading schema to your students.
• If you are exploring unique calculations for identifying grades and grade ranges outside of what you see in these schema options, please schedule a consult with an instructional designer. 

Need Additional Support?

This guide aims to provide useful information, but as technology changes, interfaces or steps might vary. Please use the Comment button to let us know if anything differs from your experience. Your feedback helps us keep this information accurate. Thank you!