https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/fairfax-schools-considers-new-grading-policy-that-would-eliminate-zeros/2015/03/18/9dd615c2-cd1e-11e4-a2a7-9517a3a70506_story.html

In a message sent to thousands of teachers Tuesday, Deputy Superintendent Steven Lockard detailed a series of proposals under consideration to revamp how teachers hand out grades to students and to standardize exam scores across the county.

The changes could have widespread impact in the school system, affecting students’ chances of getting into college and how teachers handle homework and tests. Under current rules, high schools in Fairfax have the flexibility to decide grading scales and methods. For example, an F could equal a zero at some schools but could be scored as 50 percent at others.

“It is time to examine our current grading policies in an effort to ensure that we have consistent and equitable practices throughout our middle and high schools,” Lockard wrote.

The majority of the changes Lockard outlined in his message to teachers would aim to create consistency in how students are graded and give those struggling in classes more opportunities to improve their scores. Under the new system, student grades could be calculated partly on classroom effort as well as test scores.

Experts say the proposals are similar to changes instituted in school districts across the country.

Education consultant and grading expert Ken O’Connor said movements to standardize grading systems are picking up steam. He also said that giving students a zero is “morally and ethically wrong.”

Mount Vernon stop giving 0 . Last year Fs droped by 50% because of the new policy

opld news Wrote:
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> Mount Vernon stop giving 0 . Last year Fs droped
> by 50% because of the new policy

Wow, that's amazing. Students getting 50% smarter over the course of a year should be the focus of some sort of study.

FCPS should just get rid of grades altogether.

They should just start handing out trophies with the new policy that all kids get trophies.

There shouldn't be "a super F" which is what a "0" is. Statistically it can be impossible, even with subsequent As, Bs and Cs, to raise the overall grade to beyond a low F (63%) There were teachers who hadn't run the numbers, they didn't understand the statistics. There is a huge difference when a "0" is recorded and a "63" is recorded. This new policy just means an F will be recorded as 63%. It's still an F, it's still failure. If the teacher grades the student as having failed the assignment or test, they failed, they get an F. But with the new system, at least statistically, the student may have a chance of passing. If the student makes a huge improvement, maybe with a lot of subsequent good grades, maybe they can to raise their overall grade to a D or a C.

Kind of sad that a school system cannot at least be somewhat consistent with something as simple, but so important with regard to grading. This should be grading 101, a real no brainer.

I thought FCPS in their documentation always clearly had the grade and percentage outlined.

Why is this even a discussion point/issue after FCPS adjusted their grading from a 6 point scale to a 10 point scale like almost all the other school districts in the county.

Unless it's changed in the last couple of years, grading is erratic.

Teachers don't give 0's. Students earn them by not doing their work.

^ more common is inconsistent evaluation

Guidance Wrote:
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> opld news Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Mount Vernon stop giving 0 . Last year Fs
> droped
> > by 50% because of the new policy
>
> Wow, that's amazing. Students getting 50% smarter
> over the course of a year should be the focus of
> some sort of study.

We get that you are trying to be sarcastic, but you must not be too bright if you think that a 50% reduction in the number of Fs (whatever the reason) could ever mean that students were "getting 50% smarter." You demonstrate why high schools and college need a quantitative reasoning course.

These liberal policies destroying education is nothing new. In Loudoun county teachers are not allowed to fail a student. Libby Loudoun puts the fault of the failure on the teacher, not the student. Libby Loudoun forces the teacher to implement a plan that will enable the student to pass. It's fucking insane!

Where are the parents? Oh, that's right. Public school kids go to public school because their parents hate the shit out of them.