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October 12, 2012

A-F grading scale - Area superintendents have similar concerns regarding state’s new grading system

Mark Friedel Staff Reporter

CLAREMORE — The Oklahoma state school board unanimously voted Monday to delay the release of the new A-F grading scale until Oct. 25. 

State officials planned to release the system with grades on Monday, however after questions were asked from school’s superintendents, teachers and parents relating to the calculation process, the board decided to hold off.
According to the Oklahoma Department of Education’s report card guide, 33 percent of the grade comes from the school’s overall performance, including student attendence and dropout rates.
Another 33 percent comes from student achievement, with 17 percent coming from overall student growth.  The rest is from the progress of the school’s bottom 25 percent of students.
“Right now the system is really complex,” said Sequoyah Superintendent Terry Saul.  “The toughest part is figuring out a way to make the grading clear to parents.”
Saul said he does like the fact that the schools are now being graded by letters.
“I think in the end it will work, we just need to resolve the unanswered questions,” he said.
One concern of his was the fact that the new scale is based on a 93-100 percent score, meaning schools have to earn a 93.7 to receive an “A.”
Verdigris Superintendent Mike Payne said he does not oppose the new grading scale.
“I’m happy with the board for postponing the schools’ report cards,” said Payne.  “We want the grading system to be consistent and fair.  We want to be able to understand how we received the grade and what improvements need to be made.”

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