DepEd New Grading System 2026: Zero-Based & No Grades for K-3
DepEd Overhauls K-12 Assessment: Angara Signs New Guidelines Dropping Numerical Grades for K-3, Shifting to Zero-Based Grading
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) has officially overhauled its classroom assessment, grading, and rewards systems across the basic education sector.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara signed DepEd Order (DO) No. 015, s. 2026, introducing the Revised Guidelines on Classroom Assessment, Grading System, and Awards and Recognition for the K to 12 Basic Education Program. The new policy aims to curb persistent challenges in Philippine education, including grade inflation, overreliance on grade transmutation, and inconsistent promotion standards.
The guidelines will take effect starting School Year (SY) 2026–2027 in all public elementary and secondary schools nationwide, aligned with the phased rollout of the Revised K to 10 and Strengthened Senior High School (SHS) curricula. Private schools are also encouraged to adopt or modify the policy.
Major Changes Across Key Stages
The revised guidelines break away from the traditional one-size-fits-all grading system, implementing distinct approaches tailored to learners' developmental stages..
Key Stage 1 (Kindergarten to Grade 3): Goodbye Numerical Grades and Rankings
In a bid to eliminate early-stage academic pressure and unhealthy competition, DepEd is completely dropping numerical grades and academic excellence awards for Key Stage 1 (KS 1).
- Descriptive Grading: Performance will be reported using qualitative descriptors and narrative summaries focusing on foundational literacy, numeracy, and socio-emotional skills. Kindergarten will use markers like Consistent, Developing, and Beginning, while Grades 1 to 3 will use a scale from Advancing to Emerging.
- No Academic Awards: No academic honors will be given to K-3 learners. Instead, schools may confer non-academic Character Traits Awards to reward effort, positive behavior, and growth.
- Phased Transition: The descriptive system will roll out for Kindergarten and Grade 1 in SY 2026–2027, expanding to Grade 2 in SY 2027–2028, and reaching full adoption across Grade 3 by SY 2028–2029.
Key Stages 2 to 4 (Grades 4 to 12): The Shift to 'Zero-Based' Grading
For older students, numerical grading remains, but with a critical structural shift toward higher standards and authenticity.
- Zero-Based Grading by 2027: To restore the credibility of report card marks, DepEd will implement a Zero-Based Grading System beginning SY 2027–2028. Term grades will be derived directly from raw scores without any transmutation or upward conversion. A raw score equivalent to 75 will be the absolute minimum passing mark.
- Transition Year (SY 2026–2027): For the upcoming school year, schools will use an interim, adjusted transmutation table, with a raw grade of 70 serving as the passing mark of 75.
- Heavier Weight on Performance: The grading components heavily prioritize Product/Performance Tasks (PTs) over traditional exams, making up 50% to 80% of a student's grade depending on the subject area.
First-Ever Framework on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Classrooms
Recognizing the rapid integration of technology, the new policy outlines explicit boundaries for the ethical use of AI tools by both students and teachers, anchored on DO No. 3, s. 2026.
Assessment tasks must now be classified into three distinct AI-use categories:
| AI Use Category | Allowed Use Cases | Implementation Rules |
|---|---|---|
| Prohibited | Independent recall, supervised writing, and major term examinations. | AI use is strictly banned; unauthorized usage constitutes academic misconduct. |
| Limited | Brainstorming, initial research, language polishing, and vocabulary assistance. | Allowed for formatting and ideation, but cannot be used to generate full outputs. Use must be disclosed. |
| Guided | Complex tasks require analysis, problem-solving, and higher-order thinking. | Recommended for Grades 7–12; students must demonstrate clear ownership, and all tool interactions must be documented. |
Furthermore, the policy strictly prohibits teachers from inputting personal learner data or official DepEd documents into public AI platforms to protect data privacy. Teachers are also barred from using AI to determine final grades or bypass professional judgment.
Calibrated Academic Awards and Remediation
DepEd is tightening the criteria for the prestigious Academic Excellence Award for Grades 4 to 12. To qualify, a student must achieve a General Average of 90 or higher, with no final grade lower than 80 in any learning area, and maintain a spotless disciplinary record. To minimize commercialized competition, awardees will be listed alphabetically rather than by numerical rank.
To prevent end-of-year failures, the order requires schools to establish early intervention programs. Targeted remediation must begin as early as Week 5 of a term for students falling behind. Students who fail up to 2 subjects will be required to attend a Summer Remedial Class (SRC). If they still fail after the SRC, they will be conditionally promoted and required to take the failed subjects as "back subjects" through school-initiated interventions in the next grade level.
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