Canvas Grading Considerations

A quick-reference guide for faculty to ensure accurate, transparent, and complete gradebook setup before submitting final grades.

1. Missing Work and Zeros

• Enter zeros for missing work so final grades are calculated accurately and consistently for all students.
• Blank cells (–) in the Canvas Gradebook are ignored in grade calculations and can artificially inflate a student’s overall grade until a score is entered.
• For example, a student with scores of 90 and 80 would have an 85% average, while a student with a 90 and a blank (–) would temporarily show a 90% because the missing assignment is not yet included in the calculation.
• There are two ways to address missing work:
  • Manual method: Enter zeros individually for missing assignments or use the "Set as Default" feature to fill all missing fields for a particular activity. 
  • Automatic method: Use Canvas’s Missing Submission Policy to automatically assign zeros for missing work. However, this method does not always work reliably for items such as LTIs or assignments without due dates so you will need to review the assignments. 

2. Grade Calculation Method

• Confirm your course is using the grading model you prefer:

  • Weighted assignment groups

  • Points-based system

• Make sure group weights match the syllabus.

• Verify the Total column reflects the correct calculation.

3. Hidden or Unposted Grades

• Check for hidden/posting icons (e.g., eye symbols). 

• Ensure all assignment grades are fully posted to students.

• Confirm no assignment remains unintentionally hidden. 

4. Assignment Visibility

• Ensure all graded assignments are published.

• Verify that no items are restricted by modules or release conditions.

• Confirm that students can see assignment group totals if required.

5. Total Column Visibility

• Confirm whether the Total column is visible or hidden according to course policy.

• Check for any hidden icons or indicators in the Total column. 

• Ensure a grading scheme (letter grade scale) is enabled if your institution requires it.

6. Extra Credit Review

• Verify extra credit assignments are set up correctly.

  • Reminder: Assignments do NOT cap in Canavs. You will need to adjust accordingly.  

• Ensure they do not distort assignment group weighting.

7. Late Policies

• Confirm late submission penalties are applied correctly.

• Verify any exceptions or manual adjustments were saved.

8. Dropped Assignment Rules

• Review automatic drop rules.

• Ensure the correct number of low scores are dropped.

• Check that essential assignments are not accidentally marked as droppable.

9. Final Grade Overrides

• Review any manually overridden grades.

• Confirm that overrides were intentional and accurate.

10. Student View Check

• Use Student View to confirm:

  • Students see the correct grades and totals.

  • No items appear hidden unexpectedly.

  • The gradebook view is clear and complete.

11. Backup

• Export the gradebook as a CSV backup before final submission for your records. 

  • Note: No grade passback is available yet so faculty will still need to manually enter grades into Banner.