Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools allow high schools to change grading policy in individual schools.  The change simply continues the lack of confidence in classroom grades, but also confuses what a grade means school by school.

Mallard Creek High School outlined the change in the school newsletter last month, writing “This quarter we are eliminating zeros…. 50 should be the lowest F grade given and distinguish or recognize student effort/growth above this.”

Students know the problems associated with this “progressive” idea.

“Even now students just say, ‘I’ll take my 50,” said sophomore Alex Perini, who objects to the change saying it undermines her hard work in honors classes by inflating grades.

The district removed a teacher who expressed concerns.

The teacher refused to follow the policy and the district pulled him from the classroom, upsetting some of his students like Alex Perini.

Now the CMS Board is reviewing grading policy.

CMS board chair Mary McCray said the board is reviewing grading and the policy is evolving. “It is to not penalize kids,” she said. “It’s looking at the value attached for effort.”

Is that reassuring?