Chris is publisher of the Greene County Daily World. He can be reached by email at cpruett79@gmail.com or by calling (812) 847-4487

Conversation about grading scales turns into project

Posted Wednesday, October 28, 2009, at 4:37 PM

A conversation in the newsroom the other day piqued my interest.

The topic turned to grading scales of Greene County schools, and the question was asked: Which school has the toughest grading scale? It didn't take long for me to answer.

But I was wrong.

It took only about five minutes for me to come to that conclusion, thanks to the Internet.

Though the conversation soon died, I couldn't help but wonder what the grading scales were for all county schools. Are they the same? Close? Should they be the same?

All good questions, but I don't have the answers.

Local control over our schools is important, meaning your local school -- with the approval of the school board -- has control over the grading scale.

But what would happen if Greene County schools worked together and had one grading scale? That probably won't happen, because not all schools are the same. They don't offer the same classes, have the same teachers, and don't work on the same schedule (semesters vs. trimesters).

So which school has the toughest? It depends on how you judge.

Linton (all grades) has the highest percentage for an F (69), and Bloomfield Elementary has the toughest scale to receive an A (97-100).

The following is a list of Greene County schools' grading scales. I was able to locate all the grading scales but one on the schools' Internet sites. I called the other to learn the scale.

* Bloomfield Elementary School:

A -- 97-100

A- -- 94-96

B+ -- 91-93

B -- 87-90

B- -- 85-86

C+ -- 82-84

C -- 77-81

C- -- 74-76

D+ -- 70-73

D -- 67-69

D- -- 65-66

F -- 64 and below

* Bloomfield Jr./Sr. High School:

A+ -- 100

A -- 93-99

A- -- 90-92

B+ -- 88-89

B -- 83-87

B- -- 80-82

C+ -- 78-79

C -- 73-77

C- -- 70-72

D+ -- 68-69

D -- 63-67

D- -- 60-62

F -- 59 and below

* Eastern Greene Elementary School for grade 4:

A -- 92-100

B -- 83-91

C -- 72-82

D -- 65-71

F -- 64 - below

* Eastern Greene Elementary School kindergarten through third grade:

* Exceeds Expectations (E) -- Meets and often goes beyond grade level standards.

* Meets Expectations (M) -- Meets grade level expectations and standards.

* Progressing (P) -- Shows some understanding; further development expected.

* Needs Improvement (NI) -- Demonstrates minimal progress toward grade-level standards.

* Eastern Greene Middle and High School:

A -- 93-100

A- -- 90-92

B+ -- 87-89

B -- 83-86

B- -- 80-82

C+ -- 77-79

C -- 73-76

C- -- 70-72

D+ -- 67-69

D -- 63-66

D- -- 60-62

F -- 0-59

* Linton-Stockton Elementary, Junior High and High School:

A -- 95-100

A- -- 93-94

B+ -- 91-92

B -- 85-90

B- -- 83-84

C+ -- 81-82

C -- 75-80

C- -- 74

D+ -- 73

D -- 71-72

D- -- 70

F -- 69 and below

* Shakamak Elementary, Junior High and High School:

A -- 93-100

A- -- 90-92

B+ -- 87-89

B -- 83-86

B- -- 80-82

C+ -- 77-79

C -- 73-76

C- -- 70-72

D+ -- 67-69

D -- 63-66

D- -- 60-62

F -- 59 and below

* White River Valley Elementary, Junior High and High School:

A -- 93-100

A- -- 90-92

B+ -- 88-89

B -- 83-87

B- -- 80-82

C+ -- 78-79

C -- 73-77

C- -- 70-72

D+ -- 68-69

D -- 63-67

D- -- 60-62

F -- 59 and below

Chris is the general manager/editor for the Greene County Daily World. He can be reached by telephone at 847-4487 or by e-mail at cpruett79@hotmail.com .

Comments

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Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. Please note that those who post comments on this website may do so using a screen name, which may or may not reflect a website user's actual name. Readers should be careful not to assign comments to real people who may have names similar to screen names. Refrain from obscenity in your comments, and to keep discussions civil, don't say anything in a way your grandmother would be ashamed to read.

Comparing grading scales between schools using different assignments and tests makes about as much sense as comparing the fuel economy of an SUV and a semi-truck.

I had a class in college where I believe 30% was an A. Very few people got As in that class.

-- Posted by Question? on Wed, Oct 28, 2009, at 8:59 AM
What matters is when these kids apply for scholarships and college.The committees look at the grade point average not at each individual schools grading scale. It makes it unfair to the kids that have the tougher grading scales to get scholarships.

-- Posted by parent of lss kids on Wed, Oct 28, 2009, at 1:58 PM
I don't believe that a tougher scale denies kids opportunity. Kids deny themselves opportunities. Educational research shows that kids will reach whatever level that they want or need to. In other words, if they want a B, they will work to that level regardless of the number.

Also, all teachers do not teach and score identically. So, a 90% at WRV may be easier or tougher to earn than a 90% at Bloomfield or Linton.

Not to disrespect, but that argument is not based on research. In a vacuum, yes, it seems right. But, in practice, it isn't.

-- Posted by Gene Hall68 on Wed, Oct 28, 2009, at 3:11 PM
johnpaulcoleman,

No...not what I am saying. The discussion is whether a few points at each grade level make a difference....I am assuming that you are trying to entertain yourself with your comment. You are hilarious...try getting a show in Vegas.

LHS Dad,

I understand what you are saying...but, your daughter and her roommate didn't take exactly the same courses, have exactly the same teachers, etc...I have no problem holding kids to a higher standard...Is it always about the money? As far as scholarships are concerned, most scholarships are not based on GPA alone...extra curriculars, parent salary, interviews, student written essays, etc...all contribute to award money.

If there is a difference in award to GPA, don't blame schools for holding kids to higher standards...Blame the university that your child attends....blame the scholarship committees for their failure to recognize the differences.

In the end, the reason to lower standards should NOT be so my kid can get more money. It is interesting how people can complain about schools not doing their jobs and then criticize them for holding kids to a higher but not unreasonable standard.

As far as kids dropping out of school, do you really believe that kids drop out because the grading scale is too high?

-- Posted by Gene Hall68 on Fri, Oct 30, 2009, at 10:30 AM
johnpaulcoleman,

Why don't we just give everyone an A and call it a day?

Why not work hard and earn something?

I didn't write that a few points won't make a difference....You even have me quoted as saying they do....I believe that it isn't wrong to hold students to a higher academic standard....

Sounds like your argument would be something like.. "Hey, why should I work harder when they will pay me the same amount for not working harder....?"

-- Posted by Gene Hall68 on Fri, Oct 30, 2009, at 1:14 PM
Up until 2 or 3 years ago, WRV had the toughest one in the county. Enough parents whined until they eventually had no choice but change it. Great move. Now the kids do not have to work near as hard, they aren't challenged, and they are not taught that they need to do their best. It's not too hard to get an A in the class when a 90% is still an A. I am anxious to see how prepared for college these kids will be that have been the product of this new scale all 4 years of high school.

-- Posted by whiteriverparent on Sat, Oct 31, 2009, at 7:46 AM

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