Grade Dispute Policy

VirtualSC has in place rigorous, clearly defined content, assignments and assessments for all online courses. Students are responsible for constant and timely communication with the teacher regarding grades, feedback and questions on assignments.  VirtualSC teachers are professionals and have the authority to issue grades and provide feedback on all assignments completed within the online course.

When disagreements or misunderstandings arise between a VirtualSC teacher and student, parent, and/or School Counselor/Sponsor regarding an assignment, assessment or final course grade, the parties involved should first communicate directly with the teacher to resolve the issue directly. If a resolution is not reached, the final grade reported can be appealed to the Director of the Office of Virtual Education. The appeal should be submitted in writing no later than thirty (30) calendar days after the grade was issued.

A parent, legal guardian or School Counselor/School Sponsor must submit an appeal in writing. To appeal a grade, the parent, guardian or School Counselor/School Sponsor will:

  1. Send the official dispute request in writing, via an email to virtualsc@ed.sc.gov. This email should state that the grade is being formally appealed.
  2. Provide documentation of the initial attempt to resolve the issue with the teacher of the course.
  3. Clearly define the the specific issue(s) related to the dispute.
  4. Describe, in as much detail as possible, the reasons the reported grade is inaccurate and/or why the decision being disputed should be changed.
  5. Describe, in as much detail as possible, the desired outcome of the dispute request.
  6. Provide documentation supporting the specific issue(s) related to the dispute. References to particular assignments that may have the incorrect grade reported, email correspondence teacher regarding the grade or concern in question and the teacher’s response.

The disputing party will receive a confirmation response from VirtualSC staff within one business day acknowledging the receipt of the request. VirtualSC staff may request additional documentation or information from the disputing party before delivering the request to the Director of the Office of Virtual Education.

Upon the conclusion of the investigation, the disputing party will receive notice of the findings.  The Director will render a decision on the matter within 15 business days after receipt of the appeal.  The decision and the reasons will be in writing and sent directly to the appellate with copies sent to appropriate VirtualSC staff and the student’s School Counselor.  The decision of the Director is final and no further appeals will be accepted.

Dispute requests that are received or appealed more than thirty (30) calendar days after the grade was issued will not be investigated and the grade will be considered final with no further appeal. Once a course closes, students, parents, and facilitators may no longer have access to any material or assignments in the course. Courses will not be reopened for a dispute review.

*Note: Dispute requests for the extension of VirtualSC's Dates and Deadlines will not be reviewed if they fall into any of the following categories (included, but not limited to):

  • Any absence unrelated to a documented Extenuating Circumstance (Examples include, but are not limited to: absence due to travel, camp, summer jobs, vacation, school breaks, attendance violation (withdrawal/reinstatement), etc).
  • Extended course absence as a result of the failure of a device and/or internet access. VirtualSC advises all students and their sponsoring schools to ensure that students have access to the technology necessary to participate in a VirtualSC course prior to enrollment. All students should have a back up plan in the unusual case that their primary device and/or internet access is unavailable. 
  • Course absence as a result of the failure to check on/respond to messages, emails and/or communicate appropriately.
  • A student is failing, but close to passing.