Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Grading Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee adopts shift from quality points to percentage‑average for middle and high school grades
Summary
A district work group recommended and the committee adopted a revised grading policy (Policy 5421) to replace the quality‑points system with a percentage‑average method, add an A+ tier, and set an August 2026 implementation timeline, while noting concerns about graduation‑rate impacts and the need for administrative guidance.
The Columbus City School District Policy & Governance Committee on March 9 adopted a revised grading policy (Policy 5421) that replaces the district’s complex quality‑points calculation with a percentage‑average method and adds an A+ grade to the plus/minus scale.
Clarence Daniels, a member of the quality‑points work group, told the committee that the group reviewed 22 other districts and concluded the percentage‑average method would be simpler and more transparent for students, families and teachers. Under the recommendation, year‑long courses with a final exam would weight each quarter at 22.5% and the final exam at 10%; year‑long courses without a final would weight each quarter at 25%; semester courses would weight quarters at 45% and the final at 10% where applicable. The group proposed that the revised policy, if approved by the board, take effect in the 2026–27 school year with an August 2026 implementation date.
Miss Heidi Baxter explained the existing quality‑point method and why it produces confusion — for example, a student could earn a 65% one quarter and 0% another quarter and still pass under the current calculation. ‘‘This calculation holds many complexities and confusion for our community and students,’’ she said.
Board members raised concerns about how the change could affect graduation rates and whether the effective date should be specified in the policy. Presenters said the district would rely on policy 5460.02 and metriculation teams to ensure families are notified and students at risk receive interventions. Committee members recommended adding an explicit effective date clause; the motion to adopt the revised policy with an August 2026 implementation clause passed on a roll‑call vote.
Staff said the district will develop administrative guidelines, professional development for teachers, and communication plans (notifications, orientations and back‑to‑school events) tied to the August 2026 timeline to help schools implement the change.
Next steps: the revised Policy 5421 will be transmitted as adopted by the committee (with the effective‑date clause) to the full board for final consideration and any adjustments to administrative guidance.
