1. Ten Point Grading Scale Summary
Doug Alderfer, Ed.D
Monday, February 13, 2012

2. Background
Present grading scale was adopted in 1986 Current 10-point A= A= B= B= C= C= D= D= F= 69 and below F= 59 and below

3. Local Research Fairfax County Schools Study
Surveyed 104 colleges with 64 responses
Spotsylvania County Schools Study
Madison County Schools Study

4. Arguments to keep existing scale
May diminish student motivation to achieve higher standards
May cause grade inflation
May cause parents to think the curriculum has been “watered-down”
Colleges and universities indicate that they routinely recalculate GPAs from different grading scales

5. Potential Benefits of the 10 Point Scale
Compatible with other school divisions in Virginia and other states
Align with grading scale used by most colleges
Possibly more students would be distinguished as Honor Roll and receive merit based scholarships
Possibly fewer students would fail and the drop-out rate would decrease
Possibly increase student self-confidence and esteem
Possibly motivate students to attempt AP and dual enrollment courses

6. Conclusions
There are numerous potential benefits attributed to the 10 point grading scale
Risks of changing the scale relate mostly the perception of lowering standards and expectations ]
Based on the studies reviewed, the impact of the 10 point grading scale is still unclear

7. Questions?