Ask the Principal
July 09, 2009
To submit a question to the AHS Principal Kevin Reiman, please enter it in the feedback box below.
Question for the Principal
| Date | Subject | Posted by: |
|---|---|---|
| 12/10/2008 | I am curious why we don't use the ten point grading scale for our kids. It seems to put them at a disadvantage when competing for scholarships based in part on their GPA. A four point may be more difficult to obtain with a higher scale actually putting our students at a disadvantage. Greg Greg, Several years ago, a group of faculty, parents, and administrators looked at this issue in depth. At that time, they felt that the grading system currently in place provided the best reflection of a student’s grasp of the knowledge. While I was not in the district at the time of this discussion, it is my understanding that the committee felt that a 10-point scale would “water down” the scale and create grade inflation. This is at the heart of the issue for me as a principal. I want a grading scale that closely reflects what the student has mastered. When I compare the grades students receive in classes with test scores on national, state, and local assessments, I feel that our current scale comes pretty close. It is impossible for me to completely rule out the idea that our students are at a disadvantage due to the grading scale. At the end of each school year I evaluate how our students compare to other surrounding graduates. My impression is that AHS students do as well or better than schools of comparable size. Grading has always has been and will continue to be a “hot topic” within education. Prior to the bond election, it was the intention of the Central Office to review the grading policy for the district. The building construction and subsequent moves have put this issue on hold. I do anticipate this review of the policy within the next 5 years. Thanks for your question. Kevin Reiman, Principal Auburn High School | Greg Seay gseay@oakmail.peru.edu Peru State Dean |
| 01/22/2009 | Has the Auburn school district considered changing the way a students GPA is calculated i.e. “Traditional GPA” versus “Weighted GPA”? Jeff, Yes, we have considered both types of GPA configurations. Seven or eight years ago, we did an in-depth review of all of the grading policies at Auburn High School. At that time, it was decided that our students were better served by staying with a traditional GPA. As I recall the discussion, those in favor of the traditional GPA argued that it was impossible to select the classes that should be weighted. A case could be made for several classes to be weighted. Weighting too many classes creates a problem of over inflating grades and GPA’s, which will ultimately do damage to Auburn High School graduates’ chances for post-secondary scholarships. We have also found that several universities and scholarship programs convert any weighted GPA back to the traditional GPA format so they can compare apples to apples. Once the committee was given that information, it seemed best to stay with the traditional format. Once we have completed the new additions and made the move to two campuses, I believe that we will take another in-depth look at grading and homework polices for the entire district. I am sure we will again weigh the pros and cons of the GPA issue. Thank you for your question. Kevin Reiman, Principal Auburn High School | Jeff jedauel@nppd.com |
