BY CHARLEE BEASOR
LIZTON — Grading scales have been at the forefront of parents’ and students’ minds for the past several months. A handful of Hendricks County school corporations are discussing whether to change their schedules to match those of many other Indiana school corporations.
At the North West Hendricks School Board meeting Tuesday evening, the board held a first reading on a proposed change.
The board is looking at changing the grading scale from the current scale, where a 95 is an A- and a 70 is a D-, to the 10-point scale used at Avon, Brownsburg and Plainfield schools, where a 90 is an A- and a 60 is a D-.
“Our reason for adopting a new scale is based on college and scholarships,” board member Kathy Waite said.
One of the complaints is that the tougher grading scale puts Tri-West students at a disadvantage when applying to colleges or for scholarships. The argument is that Tri-West students have a lesser chance to win merit-based scholarships and lose their competitive edge when applying to college, as most colleges and universities don’t take into account the fact that the grading scale is tougher at Tri-West.
Administrators said the tough grading scale was important for students to be held up to a high standard, as colleges and universities would give tough work and expect high standards. In an interview in December, Principal Jim Diagostino said that the data showed that their students were doing well with the high expectations.
However, the school board requested that they take a look at going to a 10-point grading scale.
One of the complaints that the board had about the proposed changes on first reading was that the scale would also be changed to the 10-point scale at the elementary school level.
“There’s no need for that at the elementary school level,” Waite said.
Board President Connie Bowman said, “Our main focus, this issue does not live within the building itself. This doesn’t pose a problem at the elementary level. We are pleased with the standards we set. Getting scholarships and applying to college, those problems aren’t affected at the grade school level.”
Superintendent Dr. Leo Philbin didn’t agree with keeping the tougher grading scale at the elementary level. His issue was that if school got easier as students advanced, it could set them up for failure later in life.
“Don’t play games with kids psychologically,” he told the board. “You’re going to create harm.”
Judy Pingle, vice president of the school board, said adjusting to a new grading scale is one of the changes that students would be able to handle when moving from the elementary level.
“I believe the grading scale at the elementary level should stay the same,” she said. “I see no problem having a grading scale between the two — elementary and middle school. Things change, including the grading scale. It can just be one of the changes kids have to deal with.”
Three elementary school principals attended the meeting and were asked for input. All three agreed with keeping the standards the same at the elementary level.
North Salem Elementary Principal Brenda Coley said, “We’re looking at benchmarks to know that (skills) are mastered. If a child in first grade is getting a C in reading, that is not acceptable.”
Pittsboro Primary School Principal Erica Roehling added, “If we lowered to a 70 percent (which is average in middle school and high school), that in first grade is not a candidate to go to second grade. It’s not just about retention, it’s a little bit different (at the elementary level).”
A second reading of the proposed change will be held at the board’s next meeting at 6:30 p.m. April 13 in the administration center at 104 N. Church St., Lizton.
charlee.beasor@flyergroup.com
