Are you aware that honors science classes at OPRF are the only academic courses that have a higher grading scale that contribute to a student’s grade point average (GPA)?
The grading scale for honors science classes is 92+ A, 83-91 B, 74-82 C, 65-73 D and 65 F. Other divisions, for both honors and regular courses contributing to the GPA use the 90+ A, 80+ B, 70+ C, 60+ D scale. No other high school in the Chicago area could be found to have this type of grading system. The grading scale should be 90+ A for all courses counting toward the GPA.
Some at OPRF suggest the reason for the science division’s grading practice is that too many students were receiving As and Bs in the science honors courses. Whatever the real reason is for this grading practice, it is harmful to our community. Too many talented students have dropped out of the honors science track. Too many students at OPRF are being discouraged from taking rigorous coursework in the sciences.
It is alarming to note the number of Advanced Placement (AP) classes offered in the science division. The master schedule for first semester 2006-7 shows the science division offered only eight sections of Advanced Placement courses, whereas the math, history and English divisions offered 13, 24 and 29 sections respectively. While other communities are brainstorming ways to include more students in the AP program, OPRF science students are given more hurdles.
A 2004 report by the National Science Foundation has determined that high school students completing advanced science and math coursework have higher achievement scores and higher college success. A 2006 study by the Advanced Placement board (a nonprofit group) determined that students completing AP courses, regardless of their AP exam score(s), are much more successful in college than students who did not take AP courses.
Why then is the science division unfairly raising the bar for honors science students and, as a result, discouraging students from attempting challenging coursework?
After having numerous discussions on this issue with the OPRF administration and school board, not one individual could justify the science division’s grading practice. In fact, the three newly elected school board members (John Allen, Ralph Lee, and Sharon Patchak-Layman) should be applauded for stating their opposition to it.
Dr. Weninger, having promised the grading issue will be reviewed, has unfortunately decided to continue with the inequitable honors science grading practice for 2007-8. He has interpreted an ambiguous district policy, Policy 104, Philosophy of Grading, to mean teachers have autonomy in selecting a grading scale. If you read this policy on the district home page, it says nothing about giving teachers this privilege.
I have been a science teacher for over 12 years, and it is appalling that this grading practice continues at OPRF. If you are upset about this, as I am, please voice your concern to OPRF administration and school board. Please contact your child’s honors science teacher and let him/her know that you support a 90+ A curve and that s/he, according to District Policy 104, has the autonomy to use this scale.
Gerri Rode
Oak Park