Committee Considers Grading Policy

The Curriculum and Instruction committee met last week to hear information regarding LCPS grading policies, specifically the "10-point scale" currently being promoted by many Loudoun parents in coordination with the Fairfax "Fairgrade" effort. I wrote about this back in June (New Grading Scale? Patience), in February (What Should a B Be?) and in April (Following Fairfax).

I was out of town on vacation last week and could not attend the meeting, but committee Chairman Warren Geurin sent a report of the meeting by email and granted permission to post it here:

One of the agenda items before the Committee on Curriculum and Instruction on Thursday evening was the school system's grading scale and follow-up information from the Department of Pupil Services as to whether Loudoun County high school graduates are disadvantaged in college admission by our grading scale.

The staff presenters were Dr. Mary Kealy, Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Services; Mrs. Anne Lewis, Director of Student Services; and Mrs. Pat Allenson, Guidance & Health Services. Mrs. Lewis reviewed the 2001 grading scale study and presented an example of a student transcript.

Mrs. Allenson provided information gleaned from a survey of college and university admissions offices.

I also distributed materials provided by the parent group known as FairGrade Loudoun, who want us to adopt a 10-point grading scale. Within the next few days, I expect to schedule a special meeting of the Committee on Curriculum and Instruction to received from the Department of Pupil Services their reaction to the the materials prepared by FairGrade Loudoun and to receive a presentation from FairGrade Loudoun.