Grading scale talks = began in 1986

Grading scale talks began in 1986

By yoursouthhills

Created Apr 10 2008 - 12:00am

The third grading scale shift could be the charm at = Baldwin-Whitehall, or at=20 least a step in the same direction as other area school districts.

John Wilkinson, assistant superintendent of elementary and secondary=20 education, said the district shifted from a 10 percent grading scale to = the=20 current grading scale in 1986 to align with surrounding districts.

The current scale goes by smaller percent increments than most = districts,=20 with a score of 93 to 100 percent as an "A," 83 to 92 percent is a "B," = 70 to 82=20 percent is a "C," and 60 to 69 percent is a "D," and anything lower is a = "F."

"We just followed suit," Wilkinson said. "Now it seems everybody is = shifting=20 back to the 10 percent scale."

In 1986, the district formed two committees. One committee examined = grades=20 and the other examined homework policies, procedures and guidelines. =

Eventually, the grading scale was switched.

Grading was examined again in 1999, when 77 members forming = committees to=20 examine kindergarten, elementary, middle and high school grades.

"The 1999 committee really focused on the letter grade," Wilkinson = said. "At=20 that time, they just had A, B, C, D and F. They wanted to infuse a = percentage=20 and letter grade for more accurate grading."

The 1999 committee ultimately made no grading changes, although they = had a=20 lasting effect on the district.

"Some of their recommendations, like conferences for kindergarten = through=20 eighth grade, twice a year, are still in place," said Wilkinson.

The shift in the grading scale in 1986 had no effect on the = enrollment in=20 honors and weighted courses, Wilkinson said. He also thinks readjusting = the=20 scale would not affect honors enrollment.

The district established a committee of 34 people, including parents, = administrators and teachers, to discuss changing the current grading = scale in=20 October.

The Baldwin-Whitehall Council of PTAs addressed the issue in 2006, = claiming=20 the scale is unfair, because it gives the district more stringent = guidelines=20 than surrounding districts.

The council also said the scale puts students at a disadvantage = because some=20 organizations give scholarships based on grade point averages. The = higher scale=20 keeps grades lower, although the percentages may suggest a higher grade = on the=20 10-point system.

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