Most can agree that a grading system that focuses more on the true understanding of students rather than the completion of students’ work can help students do even better in their academic career, which is why many believe that this new grading system helped many students flourish in their academic careers. 

The grading system went from A’s and B’s to 4’s and 3’s, and many students are struggling to cope with it, although many are blossoming with it. Kamya Lee (11) is one of the students that have mixed emotions about the grading system.

“I miss our old grading system but I think this new one this year is better,” Lee said. “It has zero, and now teachers can hold kids accountable for not putting anything on their papers.” 

When it comes to tests and homework, this grading system’s effect makes a bigger appearance. Many students think that it makes it harder on kids to have some leeway.
“We’re required to put something down on our test or homework or else we’ll get a zero,” Lee said. “But I think it’s also pushing us in a good way to try our best even if we don’t know what we’re doing.” 

Lee stated that this new grading system has affected her academics personally, due to the new grading system, Lee said that she had to give up old habits that she did when she didn’t understand something.

“Since our system is now 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, it’s brought my grades down in math only really,” Lee said, “When I don’t know what to do on a math section, I leave it blank and that hurts my grade. It’s also pushing me to at least try.” 

Mackenzie Lattray (11) is a fan of the new grading system and appreciates it on students behalf. 

 “It gives students an opportunity to redeem themselves even if they do bad, and overall I think it’s more fair to students,” Lattray said. “I like how we focus on standards and making sure we become proficient in each one and we get multiple opportunities.” 

Some students believe that the old grading system upheld how they could have potentially thrived in curtain classes, and that it held them back. 

Lattray thinks that without the new grading system, her academics would go down a different path.

“I think it has just made me more successful in some classes than it would have been if we continued the previous way,” Lattray said. “I don’t think the old grading system was better or fair because it was very imbalanced. Mr. Williams’ idea to bring this to Hancock was definitely a better choice for the student body.”

According to the website Voltage Control, change, if played out correctly can be a significant success for students.

 The website claimed that it can lead to a more “engaging and motivating” environment for students. The website also included that this is crucial for “fostering a love for learning and encouraging students to take an active role in their education.” 

Another study at Penn State University shows that change is beneficial for a student’s mindset.  

Studies of the University show that students who welcomed change, and took the low cost program offered had a better chance at succeeding. On average, lower achieving students who took the program earned higher grades in ninth grade.

Nicole Herman, HHS Administrative Assistant, who is able to watch the school environment from a third person point of view, agreed that this new grading system has been beneficial to students and their learning. 

“The students seem to have taken more ownership of their grades, which is how it’s supposed to be,” Herman said.

This grading system also arguably can be a great thing for teachers as well, considering it makes them have to persevere and adapt to a new system of grading, and help students learn. Herman thinks that this new grading system pushes teachers more.

“I notice and respect the amount of work and effort the teachers are putting in,” Herman said, “I definitely have noticed the time and energy that teachers are giving.”

Herman said that she would like to witness how the class that has learned through this system all four years to see how it has affected them, and understand how this grading system has changed kid’s mindsets. “It would be very interesting to see how they transition into post high school life.”