Teachers weigh in on grading scale issue

Whitefish High School is unique compared to other high schools in the valley and most Montana colleges in the fact that its grading is done on a 92-83-74-65 scale rather than 90-80-70-60. This designates a 92 as an A minus, an 84 as a B minus, and so on.

This difference has become a much-debated issue, both within the community and the high school. Questions have been raised as to whether or not Whitefish High School should change its current scale to the more commonly used 90-80-70-60 scale.

Last week, the students shared their opinions on the matter. This week, a cross-section of the staff members gave their input as to whether or not the grading scale should be changed.

In an anonymous survey, teachers and staff members were asked if they would like to see the current grading scale change. Of the 18 who received surveys, seven teachers advocated that "yes," the grading scale should be changed, six said "no" and five stated that they were unsure. The arguments for each standpoint were quite diverse.

Proponents of the change were nearly unanimous in their reasoning — most stated that changing the grading scale would be an enormous asset to Whitefish students' college application process. Changing the scale would give students more of an advantage in gaining acceptance into competitive colleges, supporters stated.

"While I understand that keeping a higher grading scale encourages students to make a true effort to get an A, I think it puts some of our honors students at a disadvantage when applying for colleges," one teacher commented.

"We need to get in line with the majority of high schools in the state," another staff member said. "The Montana University System has the 90-80-70-60 grading scale. Scholarship opportunities are impacted by the higher scale."

One staff member supported the change but provided a different reason.

"The change is to appease the public," the staff member said. "Whether a 90-100 is an A or not, the standard for the A is the same. The student who ends up with a 91.9 will earn the 89.9 and still push for an A. Grades are established with standards and benchmarks. What one must do to earn the grade remains. Changing the scale will not mean more A's, B's, etc., but if it makes people happy, I have no problem with changing."

Another proponent of changing the grading scale provided a different solution to the idea.

"I like this, but we should not give a 4.0 grade to merely anything in the 90-100 range," the staff member said. "We should assign 3.7's or something similar to lower 90 grades."

Staff members in opposition of the change had equally persuasive arguments. Opponents frequently advocated the importance of keeping high standards for success.

"I like the high standards that we have at Whitefish High School," one staff member said. "I also believe students feel a greater sense of accomplishment with our grading scale."

"I like the higher expectations," another said. "Class work would just be adjusted to make it harder to get the 90 percent."

Those against changing the grading scale also pointed out that the current grading scale emphasizes the work ethic and drive for excellence in high school students.

"There's no harm in making students work harder to earn that A," one teacher said. "Just because other schools have 'dumbed down' the value of an A, that doesn't mean we should follow suit. A's have historically been 'dumbed down' from 94-100, 88-93 and 80-88. It is desirable to keep high standards. Why feel obligated to lower them?"

"Students meet whatever expectations are placed on them," another staff member said. "Our students are striving for excellence and will reach it given certain circumstances. Lowering the expectation for good grades would only lower the effort the students put forth."

Some staff members were divided on the issue.

"There is an understandable perception that a stricter grading policy is not fair to our students, and that needs to be balanced with the perception that we would be making our classes easier," one staff member said. "I'm not sure which is more important."

"I favor the change if it keeps students at Whitefish High School," a teacher said. "I don't favor the change if it's simply to improve GPA. Personally, it's important to me that students get the grade they deserve — regardless of what the grading scale is."

I also had the chance to speak with some students who attend other schools in the Flathead Valley to hear their insight on experiencing the 90-80-70-60 scale. Although a few supported their current 90-80-70-60 grading scale, the majority of the interviewed students were undecided on the matter.

Overall, it seems that most staff members at Whitefish High School share different opinions on the issue, while the students are overwhelmingly in support of changing the grading scale. The grading scale, it seems, will continue to remain an interesting point of discussion both within the hallways of Whitefish High and out.

Regardless of the grading-scale numbers, though, we do know that Whitefish High School will continue its tradition of providing an excellent education for its students.

After all, numbers are just numbers. It's the work ethic that counts.