Editorial: GPA Challenge
Editorial Board
Issue date: 4/15/05 Section: Ed-Op
- Page 1 of 1
A new grading system, with the potential to both help and hinder student GPAs, may be implemented Fall 2005. Hasty change to such a large base of student evaluation will only cause a domino effect of problems. If the modification were to take effect as is, the numer of issues would cause a counterproductive backlash.
While we understand the Faculty Senate's interest to improve the grading system, there are a few major cons that would be assosiated with the plan. Even though students who earned plus grades would feel recognized for their work, students who recieved minus grades may begin to nit-pick over individual points. An added presure will be placed on teaching staff to be very particular for each grade they assign.
Some students may find the new system encouraging, although we feel may will pay attention to points rather than the intended material. Which is more important, the content or the grade?
In addition, students who need to maintain a specific GPA, such as A.J. Drexel Scholarship recipients or Education majors for state certification, will face additional hardships. Problems will also be caused for registrars who will be required to hand calcuate borderline grades for students who did not begin their education with this system.
Before implementing such a monumental change, research from benchmark schools, students' opinions and Drexel's education goals should all be examined. The numbers we are receiving in our classes are not nearly as important as the information we take from them.
While we understand the Faculty Senate's interest to improve the grading system, there are a few major cons that would be assosiated with the plan. Even though students who earned plus grades would feel recognized for their work, students who recieved minus grades may begin to nit-pick over individual points. An added presure will be placed on teaching staff to be very particular for each grade they assign.
Some students may find the new system encouraging, although we feel may will pay attention to points rather than the intended material. Which is more important, the content or the grade?
In addition, students who need to maintain a specific GPA, such as A.J. Drexel Scholarship recipients or Education majors for state certification, will face additional hardships. Problems will also be caused for registrars who will be required to hand calcuate borderline grades for students who did not begin their education with this system.
Before implementing such a monumental change, research from benchmark schools, students' opinions and Drexel's education goals should all be examined. The numbers we are receiving in our classes are not nearly as important as the information we take from them.
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