Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Grading Scale: Case Against Change

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Continuing on with this weeks' theme, I bring to you today a look at why some parents want to keep the current LCPS grading scale. Below are excerpts from the best of the cases made so far in favor of the current scale, read the complete analysis here.
The top students are the ones who stand to lose.

Take for example, three students in a class who have number grades of 99, 95 and 90. Under the current grade scale these students will receive an A+, A and B+ respectively. Under the “Fairgrade” scale the students will all receive the grade of A. The clear loser here is the top student. His/her extra effort is no longer rewarded. And what about the students who have worked very hard to achieve a grade of 85%? Now these students see that others who have achieved an 80% will be rewarded with the same grade. I believe that in most cases students will work toward the grade scale in place.

NHS requires a GPA of 3.25 or higher for initiation. At Potomac Falls High School, approximately 39% of students in the class of 2008 graduated with a final GPA of 3.3 or higher. Requiring students to be in the top 1/3 of the class is that stringent a requirement. 12% of the Potomac Falls High School graduating class had a final GPA of 4.0 or higher.

If a change is made, my suggestion is that it be replaced by one in which no letter grades are given. The students would be given number grades in academic classes. Pass/fail would be awarded in classes such as PE, Art, Music etc. as these classes are often difficult to grade numerically and are not considered by the colleges for admission and merit scholarships. Class ranks should continue to be reported as this provides additional information to the college admissions staff and serves to further reward our top achievers.
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2 comments:

  1. In my opinion, as a high school teacher in the county, the assigning of numerical grades seems like a simple solution. We are required throughout the year to assess the student's work and assign a numerical grade. In addition, at the end of the quarter/semester we are also required to report grades as numerical values. All mid-term and final exams are reported as numberical values. It is only when the report cards are printed that a letter grade is assigned (by someone other than the teacher). As a teacher, I find this unfair for the students who have worked hard to earn a 97..and they be given the same "grade value" as a student who earned a 93.

    One other comment I would like to make, is the fact that assigning a "+" grade is very subjective in the first place. There is a tremendous amount of pressure on teachers from various sources that strongly request that, for example, the student's earned grade of 97 become a 98. And often, times the teacher will comply with these requests. By removing letter grades, and specifically "+" grades, and assigning everything numerically it makes the most sense and is something teachers already are required to do.
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  2. It seems as if most of the people who have been involved in discussions of the grade scales have been parents so it is nice to have a teacher's point of view. The one thing I am curious about is who is pressuring you to raise a student's grade to A+? My children have earned A+'s and I have never pressured a teacher about a grade. Anyway,that would happen from some parents regardless of a grade scale.
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