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Mixed feelings on U-46's new grading system

Elgin Area School District U-46 officials say a new grading system being used at the secondary level has been successful, despite complaints from some parents and students.

The standards-based grading system is new to many U-46 teachers and administrators. It has been used at the elementary level for five years, but implemented at the middle and high school levels only in the last couple of years.

It requires teachers to grade students' progress on a scale of 0 to 4, with 4 indicating "mastery" of the subject matter. It is based on students learning key concepts and skills they are required to know in that particular class. The system is a better measure of student growth, officials said.

The district's Secondary Assessment Committee gave its report Monday to the school board on how system is working out at the district's five high schools.

Officials said the biggest change with the new grading system has been a significant drop in the number of students earning A's on their exams, and an increase in B's, C's and passing grades. Also, the number of students receiving D's, E's and F's are falling.

"Students now have a better idea of where they are at," said Hector Hernandez, who teaches mathematics and theater at Streamwood High School and has been using standards-based grading for five years. "They understand what it is I am looking for and how they are being assessed."

Not all U-46 teachers have made the switch to standards-based grading.

"At this time, no one is required to implement standards-based grading ... it's being done on a voluntary basis," said Suzanne Johnson, assistant superintendent for teaching and learning.

Johnson said nearly 600 teachers voluntarily participated in training last summer on how to implement the new grading system.

Some students and parents have complained the term "mastery" is understood differently by teachers, who then apply it subjectively. Students and parents also fear students losing class ranking, which could affect college scholarships.

"This system is not being used universally in each school or even within each department, forcing us to manage different systems for each class," said Bartlett High School junior Nina Pavell. "In one of my recent tests, I received a 3 for having one out of 16 (answers) incorrect. That score would normally be an A for it equates to a 94 percent, but because she has determined her own level of mastery, I had to settle for the B. A 4 is practically impossible to get. How are teachers supposed to grade us on mastery, when they are not masters of their grading system?"

Johnson said all students should have the opportunity to earn a 4 at any point of assessment whether on the first day of school or last.

School board member Traci O'Neal Ellis said while she supports moving to standards-based grading, the system is not working for everyone.

"My major concern is that not all schools and all teachers have the grasp on it that you guys do and because of that, at the end of the day, students are confused and impacted," she said. "It feels very much like we did not do this implementation right."

U-46 parents, students criticize new grading system

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