Friday, March 09, 2007

Doing Away with D's Today my school district sent home letters to parents of high school students, introducing a change in the district's grading scale. They have done away with the D.Whereas previously, a grade of 70-73 equaled a D, and 74-79 a C; now, an average of 70-79 equates to a C. 69 and below remains an F. . Why the change? The given rationalization was that it will improve students' chances of attaining the state's coveted HOPE scholarship, the lottery-funded full-ride offered to students with a minimum B average. The letter explained how a change had been made in the minimum qualification for the HOPE : From a numerical average of 80 , to a 3.0 Grade Point Average. A little experimenting with the math shows that a 3.0 is a higher bar. That change is due to take effect in May of this year. Thus, the new grading scale, which applies to students graduating in May. Frankly, I don't think it is going to increase students' chances of qualifying for the HOPE. To the contrary, it will just increase failures. Most teachers are going to be less inclined to continue the common practice of boosting a student's 60 or 65 at the end of the semester to a passing 70 as a reward for effort or good attendance, now that the 70 equals a C. I also wonder if the new scale will be applied retroactively to grades given before this takes effect. I.e if a student graduating this year received a 70 in a course during his sophomore year, the assigning teacher understanding that to be a D, will that grade now be calculated as a C? To my knowledge, teachers were neither consulted nor informed of the board's consideration of such a change. I look forward to hearing reactions in the teacher's lounge upon our return to school Monday. 7:12:53 PM    comment []trackback []