Grading system creates disadvantage
The following is a Counterpoint
By Garth Hebert
As a parent and school board member, I am aware of a sad fact about our university admissions system. North Carolina is among a minority of states that mandates a seven-point grading scale for grades four through 12. Most systems and the vast majority of colleges and universities use a 10-point scale. Boring fact, I agree, and some would say we are better because we have higher standards. We need better schools but, alas, this method might shoot ourselves in the foot nationally and, worse, may be a significant barrier to our children’s success in life.
Two situations, though vastly different, illustrate the seriousness of the problem. First, the dropout rate and high school diplomas. To fail a course in California, a score of 59 or lower is required. Here, 71 or lower. In most schools, what we call failing they call a C. If a poor student, working nights to help support a family and trying to finish high school, fails a couple of classes, he drops out. We make earning the high school diploma more difficult and say this is good, but is it fair to those applying for a job that needs the diploma, trying to enter the military or gain admittance to a community college? It would be fair if the rest of the nation used the same standard, and this might be why many more districts are changing to the 10-point scale.
On the other end of the spectrum lies our best and brightest, the coveted 4.0 student for whom almost all colleges lay down the red carpet. Compare the student applying to Harvard from Los Angeles who has averaged 92 on all grades and the student from Guilford County who has a 92 average, both with identical SAT scores and both in the top 50 of their class. Because school transcripts show A, B, C, D or F, our Guilford County graduate would probably never apply with a 3.0 GPA, while the Los Angeles student shows a perfect 4.0 and is hailed as among the best.
It is worse if the same students applied to Chapel Hill. Our student, in-state, whose parents have paid taxes to keep our universities running, can’t compete against the out-of-state student who will no doubt be admitted, plus qualify for scholarships based on grades.
Sound fair? It appears our state legislators believe so. Maybe our kids need a little help from the taxpayers in setting our legislators straight.
The writer is a Guilford County school board member from High Point.
Comments (10)
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Perhaps I don't understand .. but this seems between "Silly" and "Mr. Hebert you need an education."
Since GPA's are based on a 5 point scale: A = 4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0 ... actually it is more complex because you can get a 5 for taking honors and .. isn't there also a 6 ?? ... the only difference between a "10-point" and a "7 point" scale is resolution.
Far more important is the teacher's ability to actually teach, and the toughness of the questions being graded.
Is this test being graded on a cure?
Are the test questions essay?
Is this an open book test?
Is it "What is the square root of 4?" [Everyone: ___ ]
.. or "What is the square root of 3?" [Anyone?: ___ ]
Posted on March 13, 2009 5:04 AM
JDR,
It's 1.732050808.......
Anyway, I agree with Garth.
Your points are valid for those who pass, but you've missed the point for those who have "failed" in this state but may not have otherwise in another state.
I agree this could contribute to the drop out rate.
Mr. Hebert - how many states and which ones have a 10 point scale? I'd like to know that.
And, how about removing the 6 point A in an AP class and replace it with a 5? All other classes are 4 point A's. And then have a 10 point scale.
I couldn't go along with a 6 point A in an AP class if there was a 10 point scale.
Posted on March 13, 2009 7:31 AM
and maybe failing is failing .. the kids that failed here would fail elsewhere and the kids that failed elsewhere would fail here.
==
PS - for the 3^.5 question, you either used a calculator - which IS NOT ALLOWED in my classroom .. or you are an Electrical Engineer.
Posted on March 13, 2009 8:24 AM
How about doing away with letter grades altogether and reporting the score e.g. 92.5. Let whomever is using the score apply whateve scale they desire.
Posted on March 13, 2009 8:30 AM
JWG - I like that idea.
JDR- I've had more math than a EE - with a degree in Theoretical Mathematics
Posted on March 13, 2009 8:37 AM
I rest my case.
Posted on March 13, 2009 8:44 AM
"a degree in Theoretical Mathematics"
Some people are blessed with a brain function equivalent to a high speed dual-core 64 bit microprocessor.
Mine is more like a Commodore 64.
Posted on March 13, 2009 9:43 AM
There is a theory that teachers on the 7 pt. scale grade with all of this in mind.
Posted on March 13, 2009 11:08 AM
jdr is right, the problem lies with those teaching and those taught, not with the scoring or grading system. One is either a good teacher or a bad teacher, a good student or a poor student.
Hasn't the federal government just done wonders with our education since they started telling everyone how it must be done? I can' wait until they get full control over health care and our financial institutions. We'll be back with the Geico cavemen in no time.
Posted on March 13, 2009 11:15 AM
Garth, I left you some suggestion on the letter bashing the board for make up days...think about it.
Posted on March 13, 2009 9:00 PM