Announced on: Tuesday, September 08, 2009

FAIRGRADE is concerned that new FCPS grading scale definitions appear to undermine the positive effects of the new, 10-point grading scale. For example, the new definition for an A requires that a student "goes beyond what was taught" in the class. Last year, to achieve an A, a student had to "consistently demonstrate accurate and complete knowledge of content." FCPS officials had publicly acknowledged that academic expectations for letter grades would not be changed to counteract the benefits of the new grading scale. However, these new definitions appear to do just that, thereby jeopardizing FCPS students' ability to earn "fair grades."

FAIRGRADE has requested a meeting with FCPS officials to obtain clarification of these new definitions and to get an update for the new grading policy implementation process.