Tough subject to start with, huh? Probably no other topic in education creates more disagreement than 'grades.' Why? At one time or another, we've all been students and likely all received grades for some form of work or another. Therefore, we all have experience with this subject!
In October, the CR-B Board, agreed to revise the 7-12 grading scale at my request. This request was based on the overall staff opinion that the grading scale needed to be revised to accomplish two main objectives:
1.) Provide a more equitable scale when compared to other secondary schools with whom our students must eventualy compete for scholarships, awards, etc. that can be very important to providing access to college;
2.) Provide HOPE for many of our students who simply struggle with school. At the present time, nearly 40% of 8-12th grade students at CR-B Junior/Senior High School are 'at-risk' of not finishing high school according to the Iowa definition. Having a grading scale that is more difficult than others, does nothing to provide HOPE to students who already struggle in school.
Of course the other component of the grading revisions -- the part that might upset some folks the most -- was the raising of the letter grade 'F' to the 50% level. This change was enacted to support those 'at-risk' students, as well, so that when an effort is made, even if it's not the best effort, kids can get some credit for their work. Our hope is that students don't dig themselves a hole by failing one or more assignments.
In addition to the grade revisions, however, a formal 'Incomplete' was added to the scale in an effort to communicate to students that teachers expect an effort on each and every assignment. In the past, some students have simply skipped doing some of the work, choosing instead to take a zero. That option is no longer available and the addition of an 'Incomplete' should support teachers in helping all kids to learn the essentials skills necessary for a successful future.
What do you think about these changes at CR-B???
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I wonder if instead of lowering the standards, albeit the lowest of the standards, is reasonable. Sometimes we have to be allowed to fail and if administered properly, with support from the educational community and parents, that we can do better next time might be better than saying you didn't do as bad as you could have. I know we are splitting hairs here and I would like nothing more than to see every student succede. That is what we all want from our education system.
ReplyDeleteI myself have failed spectacularly in many aspects of business and life. I have become better for them. Even my early college experience was less than commendable, but I became a better student for it.
I agree with the post above.
ReplyDeleteHowever...the reality is that university is expensive and scholarships are getting more difficult to come by. The changes enacted by this district will allow our students to compete on a level playing field with other students for those scholarships and financial opportunities that can open doors.
It's not a perfect system, but it's the system we're having to work inside. I currently work at a small private liberal arts university that I could not afford to send my son to without a lot of planning on my part and a lot of hard work on his.
I understand this is a tough issue. We don't want to "lower" standards but until everyone else raises theirs, or sweeping change comes about in the way we evaluate student performance nationally, I believe we are just going to have to get in step with other schools.
As for the value of failure, I couldn't agree more. When a student is older they must be allowed to make choices that lead to both positive and negative outcome. I don't believe that the younger ones can be permitted to fail however. With such a wide variety of family situations and learning exposure at the elementary level, we can not punish a child because he/she did not have the same opportunities as their peers.