Virginia’s Fairfax County considers updated grading policy

Fairfax County schools administration is thinking about revamping middle and high school classes grading systems in efforts to help students who are struggling.
Steven Lockard, deputy superintendent, sent a message out to teachers in Fairfax County with proposals to change the ways teachers delegate grades and standardize exam scores countywide.
If the proposals are passed, that decision would impact the entire school system. The changes would affect the likelihood of students’ getting into college and changing the way teachers would handle tests and homework. At the present time, high schools in Fairfax have the flexibility to decide grading scales.
The goals of Lockard’s changes include creating consistency in how students are graded and giving the students who are falling behind in classes an opportunity to improve their scores. In some schools, an “F” equals a zero, but in some a 50 percent. Another difference in the county is that some students are allowed to retake tests for a better grade and some cannot.
I think a uniform grading policy will go a long way in Fairfax schools. Equity and consistency in grading is essential and better for all students, parents and teachers.
In addition, I think the grading changes have potential to improve students’ chances of getting accepted into college and will overall make things more transparent and fairer for students. We want to see more students getting into college and I think passing these proposals and clarifying expectations could make attending college a reality for some of the struggling students in Fairfax County.
It really surprises me that the grading policy varies so much throughout one county. I’d say yes, I really hope that the grading policies are updated to make it consistent for all students in all schools within the county.
An upgraded grading policy seems like a necessity in Fairfax County. I’d love to see the positive changes it would make for so many students and their families. Having equity certainly would be a good thing – and more students going to college is something we can all cheer about!
The changes the school system would see will be good ones, from what I am reading. I think that everyone could benefit from having the same guidelines in place and to follow — an inconsistent grading scale is confusing and also unfair, in my opinion. I’d love to see more students succeeding and going on to further their education; changing the grading policy could make those things happen.