Criticism Prompts LTHS Grading Adjustments

La Grange IL

27 December, 2021

11:43 AM

Description

LA GRANGE, IL — Lyons Township High School is moving away from some parts of its new grading policy in response to mounting criticism. Last week, Superintendent Brian Waterman acknowledged the concerns and announced adjustments to the "Vision for Grading" policy. Earlier this month, parents circulated an online petition opposing the policy that drew more than 1,700 signatures. One of their main arguments was that students' grades depended on tests and other final assessments. They said grades should also count homework, quizzes, participation, attendance and effort. In response, Waterman said next semester's grades would include presentations, quizzes, lab reports and activities, performance assessments, essays and traditional tests. Parents also expressed concern that students would fail to do homework because it no longer counted toward grades. In the second semester, Waterman said, students would be required to submit such work before a test if they wanted to be eligible for retakes. That, he said, would serve as a motivation to do homework. He said the school would also reinstate the traditional final exam schedule next semester in response to concerns about its elimination. One of the petition organizers noted the changes to the policy in an update on the Change.org petition page. "Perhaps this is progress," the organizer wrote, "although I would caution all who signed the petition to keep in mind that LT's original 'Vision for Grading' has not been retracted." The organizer, who did not divulge his or her name, said the policy still includes "disturbing" language that states, "A grade must not measure effort, punctuality or attendance. A grade must not reward or punish a student for participation." At last week's school board meeting, Waterman said the policy has been the focus of the school's efforts since 2017. He said the school would share its first semester grading data next month. And he said the school planned to seek feedback on grading in a survey around the same time.