Virgina Parents want easier grade standards for students

[_Viva_]

Thought this would make an interesting discussion.



http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20090128/us_time/08599187426600

[Justicedog]

I think that there should be a way to make it equal.

[_Viva_]

In my high school, (500 years ago!) each teacher made his own grading scale. Mr M*, you had to get a 94. Mrs L*, a 90. Mrs D, a 92. Every teacher made his own, and told you what the expectations were the first day of class.

We also didn't have weighted classes. My A in Calculus got me 4 points, just like Susie's A in Remedial Math got her 4 points. I have to admit, THAT ticked me off.

[_Viva_]

I think that there should be a way to make it equal.


There is no real way to make it equal, because each teacher is still going to have different tests, and different ways to grade. Some of them value homework more highly, some value tests, some value class participation. Most grading is subjective, and it's all going to be different.

[tata]

I think the rest of the country ought to be fighting to make their standards higher, like Fairfax County is doing.

[MiMi_of_4]

For as long as I can remember, we've always had a district wide grading scale, but the high school teachers didn't always adhere to it.

Several years ago, we were ALL told we had no choice but to follow it, and with the advent of computerized report cards, it pretty much had to go down that way.

We changed from a 92-100 (A) 86-91 (B) 75-84 (C) 70-74 (D) 65-69 (E) 64 and below (F) to a straight up ten point scale which made the upper level teachers happier (and didn't bother me one way or the other since it's the scale a lot of colleges use.) Saved me a lot of time scoring papers, too :)

AP classes have received and extra .5 on a A since I was in high school.

[Sputterduck]

I had the 94 percent standard through junior high. I was fine with it and kinda proud that we had to work harder than average students.

[JudyJudyJudy]

At most schools in the U.S., a score of 90 earns you an A, but in Fairfax County, getting the goods demands a full 94. Merely passing is tougher, too, requiring a 64 rather than a 60.
While I can see their argument in the first sentence, I don't see why they're complaining with their second point. I've never taught in a school in which 60 was passing. In every school I've ever taught, a student must make 70 to pass.


Nor do students get much help clearing those high bars if they take tougher courses. Compared to how many districts weight GPAs for Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses, Fairfax County's half-point boost is peanuts. The result, protesters say, is that Fairfax kids are at a disadvantage on multiple fronts: snagging good-driver insurance discounts (which often factor in a student's GPA), earning NCAA eligibility, winning merit scholarships and - oh yeah - getting into good colleges.
I agree with this.

[JustMoi]

I think we've dumbed down the educational system enough as it is. By all means, tighten up the standards, demand more from children, and insist that they perform to the maximum of their abilities. And DEFINITELY stop allowing a kid to pass just because he plays sports or is a troublemaker or any other excuse. Stop rewarding mediocrity.

Same goes with refusing to mark a kid's paper with a red pen because it may hurt their self esteem. So what!! Next time, do better! No, EVERYBODY doesn't get a trophy. The trophy is for the kids who EARNED it. Start rewarding excellence again.

Wish our local schools had those higher standards, I really do.

[JustMoi]

I've never taught in a school in which 60 was passing. In every school I've ever taught, a student must make 70 to pass.



I wish. Here, a 60 is considered passing. A "D" is considered perfectly acceptable. I think it sucks.

[JudyJudyJudy]

A 60 isn't good enough, IMO.

[Iconoclast]

I wonder if it makes much difference. When my kids were sending highshool transcripts to colleges, an explanation of the grading system was required to accompany the official transcript. The admissions committee then understood that "A" meant a minimum avg of 93, etc.

I think it should always be 93. If an "A" is supposed to be outstanding, 90% doesn't meet the bar, IMO. and mastering little more than half the material is hardly satisfactory for passing.

Disclaimer: I am an educational elitist, no question.

[JudyJudyJudy]

In that school system, a minimum of 94 is required to get an A.

[Iconoclast]

I think it was 93 in my kids high school, pretty sure. 93 seems good enough, but perhaps I'm biased, lol. 94 is even better.

[JudyJudyJudy]

I did wonder, though, about what you were saying. I thought colleges took the grading scale into consideration. Also, since the schools in the district are rated high, that gives those kids a better chance of getting into college anyway. However, insurance companies that give good student discounts are not likely to take the grading system into account.

[Iconoclast]

I did wonder, though, about what you were saying. I thought colleges took the grading scale into consideration.

They do, absolutely. This is one of the main arguments people have against the Ivys. The applicants from "better schools" are more likely to be accepted. This challenges the diversity aspect, etc.

Also, since the schools in the district are rated high, that gives those kids a better chance of getting into college anyway.
Yes, for sure.

However, insurance companies that give good student discounts are not likely to take the grading system into account.
That, I don't know enough about.
.

[Iconoclast]

OK, I'm on board with the scale you present, but then you lost me with the pluses and minuses. Those I think are going too far.

I'm suprised that the Universities you mentioned don't specifically require a copy of the grade scale. The schools my kids applied to all did, and are in that same realm of "almost ivy" tier 1 schools. My college kids go to Duke and U of Chicago/SAIC.

[irisheyes81]

Yes, I was actually quite surprised myself when I read that they do not. Though, despite the fact they do not, I do not agree with lowering our scale. More so after hearing from you that other colleges/universities do take into consideration the grade scale.