Grading Scale Changes In Johnson City Schools To Begin In Third Grade

Image Credit: Judy Baxter / CC

The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –

Earlier this year, Tennessee lawmakers voted to change the 7 point grading scale used throughout the state’s high schools and establish the 10 point scale as standard. 

Parents who had advocated for the change said the old system was “a detriment to the vast majority” of students who were missing out on scholarships because their GPA was lower as a result of the 7 point scale. Tennessee students applying to colleges had to earn a 93 or better to receive an A whereas a student from Kentucky earned an A starting at 90.

To comply with the new law, the Johnson City Board of Education is changing their grading system to align with the 10 point scale but are going one step further by applying it to all students beginning in the third grade, not just high school students.

District officials believe the consistency in grading throughout grades 3 – 12 will benefit everyone and standardize grading expectations for educators.

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The new 10 point grading scale:

A: 90 to 100

B: 80 to 89

C: 70 to 79

D: 60 to 69

F: 0 to 59

K-2 students do not receive letter grades and will be evaluated using the current standards-based system.

Advanced coursework that offers additional rigor points will not be affected by the new 10 point scale. The semester average on those courses will continue to be calculated using additional percentage points.

In addition to the change in grading scale, next year a Latin System for honors recognition at graduation will be implemented at Science Hill High School. Based on weighted GPA, students may receive the following honors:

Summa Cum Laude: 4.25 and above

Magna Cum Laude: 4.00 – 4.24

Cum Laude: 3.75 – 3.99

About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.