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Course Finalization Information

This article outlines processes and tips for course finalization in Buzz for Clients using Lincoln Learning Teachers.

To ensure student grades sync correctly between Buzz (LMS) and Pulse (SMS), courses must be finalized in Buzz. Until finalized, the student’s status in Pulse will remain "Active," "Expired," or "Inactive."

Use the following links to jump to the sections for guidance:

Automatic Finalization Criteria 

Students using Lincoln Learning Solutions (LLS) teachers are finalized automatically if they meet all the following:

  • 100% Gradable Completion: All activities submitted.
  • Passing Grade: 60% or higher overall.
  • No Pending Retries: All resets are resolved.
  • All Assessments Graded: No items waiting in the teacher's queue.

Once a student’s grade is finalized in Buzz, you will be able to see the Completed grade in Pulse.

WARNING: If students do not meet the criteria for having their grades automatically finalized, a representative from the district (mentor teachers) will need to ensure the student is ready to be finalized and request final grades for students.

IMPORTANT:  Auto-graded courses require the "Course Finalization Assessment" to trigger this process. Students are auto-finalized based on when the student completes all gradable activities, score is passing, and retries are completed. 

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Tips to Verify a Student is Ready for Finalization in Buzz

The following video outlines various instances to verify students are ready for finalization. Written steps are provided proceeding the video.

Click the Play button below to view.

Run Time: 10:45

IMPORTANT: These steps are from the viewpoint of an Observer within Buzz.

Verify Gradable Progress
  1. Begin by checking the student’s gradebook in Buzz. From the Observer app in Buzz, choose the student you wish to finalize.
  2. Navigate to Grades from the Main Menu.
  3. Next, verify that the student is 100% complete with Progress (gradable).
Verify Completion of Resets
  1. Select the course.
  2. Assessments that have been completed are identified with the green checkmark.
  3. Assessments that have been allowed a retry are indicated with the green checkmark and the reset arrow.

IMPORTANT: If a student has been granted resubmission opportunities, ensure that the student has taken advantage of these before proceeding. This is not required, but a course cannot be reinstated after finalization for students to resubmit assessments. 

4. Click on resets to determine whether they should stand as is or if the student should complete the retry.

5. View the Details with teacher feedback and click Submission history to understand how and when the student turned in the assessment and what score was received. 

6. Contact the student if a retry opportunity needs to be completed before finalization.

IMPORTANT: Be sure that all accommodations and modifications have been implemented for all students with an IEP, GIEP, or 504 Plan.

Zero Out or Excuse Incomplete Assessments
If the student still has incomplete assessments but the grade will need to be finalized, determine how the score should be calculated.
  1. Zero out remaining assessments and finalize: This will provide an accurate representation of the student’s final grade due to incomplete assessments. The assessments that have not been submitted will receive a zero and the student will not have the opportunity to submit these once finalized.
  2. Excuse and finalize: This will leave the grade as it stands once all assessments have been graded. It is not an accurate representation of the student’s final grade because incomplete assessments will not be factored into the final score. 

As always, communication is key to a successful finalization process.

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Submit Final Grades Request Form for Non-Automatic Finalization

In some cases, students final grades may not finalizing because they are not meeting the minimum requirements thus clients using Lincoln Learning teachers must submit a request form. Requests can be made for one student or multiple students for Lincoln Learning Solutions Teachers.

Click on the links to jump to the following sections:

Request Form Steps

Follow these steps when students are enrolled in courses with a Lincoln Learning Solutions teacher:

  1. A district mentor must verify that all coursework meets your local requirements before finalizing the grade.
  1. After verifying coursework completion, submit the Final Grade Request Form to finalize the student’s grade.

NOTE: Reference the Pulling the Grade Report for Finalization video below to generate a Pulse Grade Report for multiple students.

Final Grades Request Form
This video shows Lincoln Learning clients how to manually request final grades for students who don't meet automatic finalization criteria.
 

Click the Play button to get started.

Run Time: 05:27

Bulk Final Grade Request

For bulk final grade requests, generate a Pulse Grade Report to collect the necessary student data. See the video below for a step-by-step walkthrough of this process.

Click the Play button below to get started.

Run Time: 04:55

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Please note the images found in this resource may not match your screen. Access and/or features may vary based on client contract.

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