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Fairgrade supporters out in full force
Since Fairfax County's School Board unanimously approved changing to a 10-point grading scale last week, supporters of implementing the 10-point scale in Loudoun are out in full force, making their views known.
In Loudoun's current 7-point system, a score of 93 to 100 is an A, while in nearby districts such as Arlington, and Montgomery County, Md. -- which operate on a 10-point scale – a score of 90 to 100 is an A. In all the districts, an A is worth 4 points in determining the student's grade-point average.
Fairfax County voted last week to make the change from their 6-point system to the 10-point system starting next fall.
Supporters of the change in Loudoun say making the change is important because operating on the 7-point scale "depresses" GPAs making it harder for Loudoun's students to get into colleges, earn merit-based scholarships and even receive discounts on car insurance.
About 40 Fairgrade supporters came out to the School Board meeting Jan. 27 to urge Loudoun's School Board to support making a change for the 2009 - 2010 school year.
"We need to change our grading scale because we want our kids to have the best educational opportunities possible," said parent Kim Miller. "As parents, we work very hard to encourage our children to do their best, but what is the end goal here? There's no question our children will need to continue their education to be prepared to meet the challenges of tomorrow. Why should they miss out on thousands of dollars of scholarships because our grading scale puts them at a disadvantage versus their peers in other districts?"
Mark Bush, who has worked with admissions at Harvard and Georgetown University said colleges don't always take the time to examine a student's GPA closely and having a 10-point scale would not in any way hurt Loudoun students.
"There is a win win proposition on the table," he told members of the School Board. "You will assure harmonization and enable our children to be properly vetted by college admissions officers who have no incentive to try to figure out what the grade means that is on the transcript. There is no downside [to making the change].
After pushing this issue for months in Loudoun, Fairgrade co-founder Kathy Lague, who lives in Cascades, said now is the time for School Board members to act.
"I have known for many years that our students are at a disadvantage with our grading scale, and now I am joined by thousands of parents across the county," she said. "We were told by some of you that you would remain silent until the Fairfax County study was complete. It is now complete and we are excited by the results."
Fellow co-founder of Fairgrade Loudoun, Nancy Lasik, also encouraged prompt action from the School Board.
"Fairfax County's School Board unanimously voted to adopt the 10-point grading scale for the 2009 - 2010 school year," she said. "What are we waiting for? When is a decision going to be made? If you're going to adopt the same policy as Fairfax, you need to act now. We need our students to be on the same playing field as those in counties around us."
Another parent, Jackie Nielson, said the 10-point scale would benefit all students.
"A 7-point system only benefits children who are achievers, who are successful," she said. "The majority of kids are punished by this system. Who is looking out for the kids who just want to get into college who are getting a C with an 84 while their peers in other systems are getting a B with their 10 point system? Sidwell Friends is under a 10-point system. If it works for the President's kids, it should work for us."
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