By Joi Bass, Rebecca Childress and Arayana Harris
Henrico County middle and high schools implemented a 10-point grading scale in September.
The grading scale’s lowest passing grade is 65 replaces the previous 70. Changes also include the addition of pluses for all grades A through D and minuses for A through C.
Director of School Counseling Meredith Holder was among students, principals, parents and county administrators on a committee that recommended the changes.
The committee reviewed grading scales at the top 25 school districts in Virginia. They found 20 of them use the 10-point grading scale. Chesterfield and Henrico were the two largest school systems in the state that had not adopted a 10-point scale.
Mrs. Holder said the new scale puts Henrico County students on an even playing field with other schools.
English teacher and athletic advisor Emily Stains said that the quality of a student’s work is the most important thing.
“I hope that students recognize that an F is still an F, an A is still an A, and the quality of their work ultimately reflects them, their family and where they come from,” Ms. Stains said.
Mrs. Holder said that motivation remains a key factor in academic success.
“Motivation comes from within, and what I like to see is that you do the best you possibly can so that when you look in the mirror, you’re the one that knows that you did the best that you can,” Mrs. Holder said.
Lead teacher for economics and personal finance Christine Petersen has previous experience with the 10-point scale at Middlesex High School.
Ms. Petersen said the scale should help students on “both ends of the spectrum” because students struggling to pass have a better chance, and students trying to get the perfect 4.0 can achieve that goal.
Sophomore Endia Winson said that the scale will help her to keep her grades up for marching band.
Junior Savan Matthews said that the county has made it easier to pass.
“If you have an F, you are completely not doing anything in class,” Savan said.
Senior JonAsia Thompson, who plans to attend J. Sargeant Reynolds in the fall, said the new scale will boost her GPA.
“I am very excited about this new change,” Jonaisa said. “I believe that it will have a very positive impact on students.”
Recent Comments