Midlothian High School - Trojan Yearbook (Midlothian, VA)

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ACADEMICS 15 re Grading Seale —

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4. Making the Grade The New Scale is Controversial hether on teacher’s bulletin boards, students’ assignment pads, or the front of report cards, the new grading scale became a part of the high school student’s life. The Chesterfield County School Board approved this new scale on April 12, 1988, and by September 6, when classes began, the change went into effect. With the new scale, students received a wider numerical range for each letter grade as eleven points were added to the B and below letters. One frequent complaint was that with only one point added to the A range it was very difficult to pull up grades each nine weeks. This system brought conflict as some students slacked off in their study habits and their grades re- mained the same. Other students found their grades had dropped as teachers made tests more diffi- cult to accommodate the more generous scale. When the new school year be- gan, a few students discovered that the scale allowed for more free time after school. Junior, Catherine Martin, commented about her most academically chal- lenging year, “I don’t know why ('m getting worse grades. I’m not studying less; I think I’m just hav- ing more fun! “Did this mean stu- dents thought the new grading system was more lenient, and they would not have to study as much? Freshman A.J. Anonick, explained his change from middle school to high school with the new scale as, ‘““much better, it takes a lot of the pressure off. I don’t have to worry so much about adapting ACADEMICS Grading Scale to the high school grading system, for the scale is easier.” Pressure or not, students com- plained that teachers made their tests more difficult, compensat- ing for the less demanding scale. Jimmy Devries realized this in some of his classes, “I’m getting about the same grades because the teachers have made tests harder. This new grading scale ba- sically helps the marginal stu- dents.” As the competition re- mained active throughout classes, many grade conscious students found the scale was less challeng- ing and were almost shocked at the numerical values that corre- sponded to the letter grades. “It’s so confusing when you get a 75% on a test, and it turns out to be an A plus!” an anonymous student joked about her personal battle with the system. In the end, members of all dif- ferent grades adjusted to the scale in their own personal ways. Some rejoiced and breezed by, while others tugged even more books home to study each night. When erades, interims, or report cards were distributed, students real- ized the new approach to grading was, in fact, a benefit. “I can’t be- heve how much those pluses can pull up your GPA, stated Diane Hamilton, after calculating her own grade point average. Overall, students formed either a liking, disliking, or indifference to the new scale. Yet one fact remained the same: each student developed their own unique attitude toward “making the new grade.” SENIOR JEFF DUTY FINDS TIME TO DOZE DURING CLASS. Who said the grading scale was unfair? SENIOR, TONIA SANBORN, WORKS DILIGENTLY to stay on top of the scale. LAUREN ENGLAND AND NATALIE MCCONNEL DISCOVER they have to “hit the books” frequently. THIS FRESHMAN CLASS EXPER- IENCES a popular high school pas- time: the test. Qa 2 eae Ses Tt 6—l Ss — — Oe er. fs - F

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IN BETWE iN ITES OF HER SANDWICH, Senior Tonya Sheffield attempts to complete last night’s homework as- signment. T afeteria is often filled with students rush- rk for their afternoon classes. ing to finish “T do my best studying in the privacy of my room. It’s cozy and I can lock out my annoy- ing little brother.” Amy Hochstein Junior “The only place I’m ever inspired to study is in a classroom right before a major test. The panic sets in then.” Sonya Mesko Sophomore “IT do most of my last-minute studying in the car on my way to school; when I’m not be- hind the wheel of course!” Kathleen Harris Junior TRYING TO LIGHTEN HER LOAD, Senior Kristen Morgan takes advan- tage of quiet time in the library after school to begin her homework. Like other students, Kristen’s involvement in extracurricular activities steals hours away from time she could spend studying at home. STRIVING FOR AN A, Senior DeDe Meadows, reviews her notes for an afternoon class in the privacy of the library rather than eating. The library is usually crowded during lunch with diligent students. “G8 ACADEMICS ff Place to Study