The Lynchburg City Schools (LCS) currently uses the grading scale:
94-100 = A = 4.0 pts
86-93 = B = 3.0 pts
78-85 = C = 2.0 pts
70-77 = D = 1.0 pts
< 70 = F = 0.0 pts
with plus and minus gradations that do not count toward the GPA. While LCS uses a 10-point scale for its AP and Dual Enrollment classes, all regular and advanced courses currently use the stricter scale. Recently, numerous school districts from many states, including Virginia (e.g., in Roanoke, Albemarle, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, and Manassas), have decided to switch to the standard 10 Point Grading Scale, the most common scale in the United States.
We, the undersigned, urge the Lynchburg City School Board to adopt the 10 Point Grading Scale, effective Fall 2009, defined as:
93-100 = A = 4.0 pts
90-92 = A- = 3.7 pts
87-89 = B+ = 3.3 pts
83-86 = B = 3.0 pts
80-82 = B- = 2.7 pts
77-79 = C+ = 2.3 pts
73-76 = C = 2.0 pts
70-72 = C- = 1.7 pts
67-69 = D+ = 1.3 pts
63-66 = D = 1.0 pts
60-62 = D- = 0.7 pts
< 60 = F = 0.0 pts
and to continue to provide a 0.5 point weight for each Advanced class and 1.0 point weight for each AP/Dual Enrollment class.
We believe this change will not only enable our students to more fairly compete for college admissions, honors programs, and merit scholarships, but it will also encourage LCS students to take more challenging courses.
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FAIRGRADE LYNCHBURG is a parent advocacy group that supports the research effort on grading policies conducted by Fairgrade Fairfax. Their findings demonstrate that our strict grading scales may put students at a disadvantage with respect to college admissions, merit scholarships, honors programs, NCAA athletic eligibility, and car insurance "good-driver" discounts. A 10-point scale would allow for expanded plus and minus grade ranges which would provide for a more accurate description of student achievement. High standards are essential, but they are best implemented by teachers through curricular and pedagogical changes, not artificially through strict grading scales.
PETITION TOTALS AS OF MAY 25, 2009:
190 ON-LINE
61 HARD-COPY
Links
Related links of other parent advocacy groups:
http://www.fairgrade.org
http://www.fairgradeloudoun.org
Letters to Editor of the News and Advance:
http://www.newsadvance.com/lna/news/opinion/letters_to_the_editor/article/letters_to_the_editor_for_saturday_april_25_2009/15443/
http://www.newsadvance.com/lna/news/opinion/letters_to_the_editor/article/letters_to_the_editor_for_thursday_may_7_2009/15753/
http://www.newsadvance.com/lna/news/opinion/letters_to_the_editor/article/letters_to_the_editor_for_thursday_may_14_2009/15934/
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