Starting this year, DCPS introduced changes to its grading policy. These updates include changes to late work deadlines and revisions.
Before, students had until the end of the term to turn in late work. Now, all work for the first half of the term must be submitted by progress reports. For revisions, assignments can only be revised if the student fails, and their revision can only be up to a C, or 76%.
Glenn Starnes, Senior Deputy Chief for DCPS Social Emotional Academic Development Strategy, said that “DCPS believed it was time to reflect on the grading policy.” In a districtwide survey given to schools, “63% of respondents advocated for a midpoint deadline [for work],” he said. Starnes believes that the change will better prepare students for post-secondary success.
Principal Sah Brown emphasized that the new policy will help students “manage their time better.” Brown added that he is not worried about any negative effects of the new policy on students’ grades: “I think our systems are still strong and, at our core, we are going to focus to see ways we can help support students.”
Teachers and students are adjusting to the new policy. Math department chair and teacher Grant Franke said that the change is a “step in the right direction. Though [the new policy] may hurt some students’ grades initially, the amount of learning will improve over time.”
While English teacher Joseph Zazo noted it is early to see the impacts of the policy, he believes the policy has an “overall net positive.” However, when it comes to the revision policy, Zazo isn’t fully on board. “If students want to revise, they should have that opportunity,” he said, no matter what grade they receive.
Students have mixed feelings about the change. Senior Student Body Vice President Francesca Krevat said that while she “understands where DCPS is coming from,” there are some student challenges. “In past classes, especially APs, revisions helped me learn [and gave me the] opportunity to build skills,” Krevat said.
While Starnes is confident in the changes, the grading policy is always subject to change: “DCPS is committed to continuous improvement. We are continuing to collect feedback from stakeholders and plan to reopen the grading policy again in the future.”
