Middle Grades Matter: Creating a Fair Grading Scale for Middle School Students
Greenville County Schools is committed to creating a fair grading scale that allows every student to succeed.
Starting in the fall of 2016, all Greenville County middle schools will institute a grading floor of 50, meaning a 50 will become the lowest grade a student can receive for an assignment, test or project. Some middle schools have already implemented this scale, while other schools are in progress.
We believe a grading floor provides a more accurate reflection of a student’s overall learning.
A grade of 50 is a failing grade. It’s simply using the upper end of the F range. Students will still be required to make up failing work so they can learn the material.
- The middle school grading floor will be effective for all grades entered into teacher grade books beginning 2016-17.
- A grade of 50 means a student failed that assignment, test or project. It’s simply using the upper end of the F range. The F grading range of 0-59 is disproportionate to the D through A grade ranges of ten points.
- A grade of 50 or a NHI (Not Handed In) is the initial designation or a “placeholder” until the student makes up the work to show mastery of the subject matter. If, after school interventions, a student does not make up the work, then the grade remains an F (50), 10 points below passing.
- With the grading floor, rather than giving zeros, teachers provide options for students to make up the work so they can learn the material.
- Cheating is not tolerated and results in disciplinary consequences. In addition, faculties are working through how best to measure the knowledge of those students, such as giving alternate tests or assignments.
Grading Floor Response to Questions
Middle School Grading Floor Presentation to Committee of the Whole
Updated: 8/25/2016