50% Really?

 This past Friday, we received an e-mail from the superintendent informing us about a change he made to the grading policy back in November.  We must now give students a 50% if they are enrolled in the class.

This change to board policy was made without asking any teacher what they thought.  It was not communicated to the parents.  It was not even read out loud at any board meeting per board policy.  It was unilaterally changed.

I had heard it was happening but I didn't worry because he'd never informed us.  The principal occasionally mentioned it but more in the context of "The super is planning on doing this."

The idea is that a student is given 50% automatically for the quarter so that all he needs to do is manage a 70% for the next quarter, so he finishes the semester with a 60% and passes.  Unfortunately, it might change the student mindset into the "I'll do well the first quarter, then do nothing the second and I'll still pass."

Unfortunately, the only "research" supporting this stance as far as I can tell is published by the group who believes in this stance.  I cannot find any real research that delves into this topic.  I've found antidotal information that shows this does not work.

I can tell the super got this from somewhere on the web because it mentions AP classes.  The majority of our students in high school are struggling in most classes because they are well below grade level when they arrive to 9th grade.  Our better students tend to apply to Mount Edgecomb boarding school which offers a much stronger and on level program.

The super did provide a form for teachers to file to get a student exempted from the 50% rule but you have to show the student did not attend, did not try, you spoke to the parents and even then, its up to the administration to agree to the student receiving less that 50%.

I do not think this new policy is going to change students who choose not to work into students who will work all the time.  I also know that several high school teachers already give students so many chances to redo their work and improve their grades.  Basically, as long as they are willing to try, they will pass.

Furthermore, the students who try, even if they do not pass the quarter, have at least a 50% so this new policy does not effect them.  It only effects the students who do little to nothing in class or who are gone most of the time.  These are the students its meant to help but until they are ready to work, it really won't help.

Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear from people who have experienced this type of grading policy.  I'm curious as to whether it really works and what type of students does this policy benefit.  If you have any information, please let me know.  Thank you.  Have a great day.