Committee rejects retroactive grading change for 2023–24 cohort

Representative Phelps presented HB 113 to make the uniform 10-point grading scale retroactive for students who were ninth graders during the 2023–24 year. Supporters said the measure would correct an unintended cohort exclusion caused by the bill—s delayed effective date; critics worried retroactivity would alter finalized academic records, create inequities if some districts cannot electronically recalculate grades, and could have fiscal or TOPS (scholarship) consequences.

Members asked whether district student-information systems (JCampus and others) can perform mass recalculations and whether the change would affect financial aid or scholarship budgeting. Representatives expressed sympathy for affected students but were concerned that changing finalized academic records or uneven technical capacity across districts could create disparate outcomes. A roll-call vote on a motion to report the bill favorably failed, 2 yeas to 9 nays.

What—s next: The motion to report favorably failed in committee. The sponsor said she would continue to consult with the Department of Education and school-system technical staff about whether a narrower or amended approach could address the cohort inequity.