Norfolk schools struggle to explain new grading system

NORFOLK

A skeptical City Council has asked to meet with School Superintendent Stephen C. Jones to discuss a new policy that sets the lowest grade for submitted schoolwork to 61 on a 100-point scale.

On Tuesday, a majority of the City Council criticized the policy, saying school officials failed to properly explain the changes to the public, teachers and parents.

Although he did not comment on the policy itself, Mayor Paul Fraim said: "I haven't met anyone in the community who agrees with it. No one thinks it's a good move. I suggested that they come in and explain to us why they did this."

"Public confidence in the school system is important," Fraim added. "And the way the public learned about this has diminished public confidence in the school system."

Fraim said a meeting with Jones and the council will be held within a few weeks.

Norfolk educators began giving 61 as the lowest failing grade this fall. Zeros are recorded only if no work is submitted.

School administrators have said it is too difficult for students to offset low grades. The change initially was recommended by a school division committee, but similar policies are being adopted by other South Hampton Roads school divisions that have either already eliminated or are avoiding zeros.

Some teachers and parents also have criticized the change, saying students can receive credit they haven't earned.

Councilman W. Randy Wright said he has been to several civic leagues that voted unanimously to oppose the policy.

"I realize this is a School Board decision," he said. "But the whole message we sent when we won the Broad Prize is that we have a world-class school system. No world-class school system is going to give a student a 61."

School Board Chairman Stephen Tonelson agreed that the school system did not do enough to explain the new policy. However, Tonelson defended it, saying many don't understand it. For instance, to earn a 61 grade on a test or an assignment, a student must re learn the material that he or she failed, he said.

"I believe that data from around the country actually support this type of policy," he said. "I think there are questions that can be raised about whether the cutoff is 61 or 50 or whatever number is elected, but I think the practice itself is not unreasonable. I think what appears to be a lack of communication colored everyone's perception."

Councilwoman Theresa Whibley, former chairwoman of the School Board, said the public needs to hear more about the issue but that she believes Jones had the right motive. "The whole idea was not to give people a free pass, but to help someone who is otherwise doing well and whose grade is decimated by a zero," she said.

Whibley said council members should tell residents who phone them about the new grading system to contact the School Board.

Wright disagreed.

"We're the only city around here that appoints the School Board," he said. "They don't face election. We do. That creates a broader responsibility for us that other city councils don't have.

"In my mind, the School Board needs to hold itself accountable to the eight members of City Council."

Harry Minium, (757) 446-2371, harry.minium@pilotonline.com