Posted by Parent of a MVHS Sr., a resident of the Cuesta Park neighborhood, on Dec 21, 2012 at 5:33 pm

We are indeed concerned about the unintentional consequences of how the new grading policy has been implemented. The main problem is that teachers, unknowingly, are unclear on how to input grades (a maximum of 97% and the resultant 3% drop in grade is crucial for a B+/A-student) as well as the weighting of different assignments (ie. a 20 minute discussion can and has been weighted the same as a 10 page term paper). Our kids are the lab rats in this experiment. At the very least the old system should have continued to be used with a side by side comparison with the new system to ensure accuracy of grading continues, prior to full implementation of the new system. My child has repeatedly had to ask for a subsequent re-grade of the same paper because her teacher has been overwhelmed by the new system. I do not blame the teachers! Ensuring that "whatever kinks there may be in the new system, they will all be smoothed out in time" is not acceptable when students are not only confused by the new system, but are seeing their grades drop. For a high school senior applying to colleges, 1st semester grades are critical in the college decision process. At the very least, any student who wishes, should be allowed to request a review of their grades prior to a final grade being submitted. Also, hard to do when the district has shut down SIS until January.