The Grading Scale: An Effective Evaluation or Instigator of Student Stress? (PB)

The grading scale, although intended to be an accurate interpretation of a student's grade, is not a universal system throughout schools in the United States. While some schools base their grades off of a ten point scale where 90-100 percent is an A, 80-89 is a B, etc., some schools, such as Lakeview Local Schools use a seven point scale where 93-100 is an A, 83-92 is a B, etc. Although educators can assert that the seven point grading scale encourages students to excel more and achieve higher than those students who base their grades on the ten point scale, there are several disadvantages of this system. While I will agree, having the higher grading scale does push students to work harder to achieve the grade they want, it also hinders those students who work exceptionally hard to earn A's and B's, but just fall short of the grade percentage cut off. In addition, when students are applying for college, it's unfair to those who have a high grade point average, but are based off of a different grading scale, compared to those who have a lower grade point average, but a more rigorous grading scale. A scale that has the purpose of measuring the accuracy of a student's intelligence, but is a different system from one school to the next, in my opinion is a flaw in the education system.

Speaking from personal experience, the grading scale has been a nuisance to me throughout my high school career. In several instances, when my grade was calculated for my report card, my grade has come out to be within the 90-92.4 percent range. Upon receiving these grades, I would always feel upset, as my grades just missed the cut off point for an A. This, of course, reflects on my grade point average, which will be sent to colleges on my applications when I apply next year. With the thousands of applications that will be sent into colleges every year, it is unlikely that the admissions counselors will take the time to look at my grades and grade point average and convert them to the ten point scale grading system. This causes my grades to appear less than satisfactory, compared to a student who has a 4.0 grade point average, based off a ten point scale. In addition, some schools even inflate their students grades with a weighted grading system. This allows students who are in advanced classes, such as an Advanced Placement Class, to earn a higher value grade, due to the rigor of their class. These factors combined could hinder a student who is applying for college and scholarships.

Although Petersons.com states that colleges, "might" accept students with lower grade point averages, based on their school's grading scale, they more so advise students to excel in different areas such as extra curricular activities and more rigorous classes, opposed to dwelling on the state of their G.P.A. I believe that in the future, the grading scale should become a universal system across the United States, in order to more effectively evaluate students on an even scale. This will not only benefit the students in relieving their stress pertaining to their G.P.A. but also to college admission counselors who will have the burden of converting grades and grade point averages removed. I believe it is important to evaluate the grading scale system in order to amend a flaw in the education system and produce multiple benefits for both students and educators.