D’s come to Colony

For the first time since its 1992 inception, Colony High School will now have D’s as part of the grading system. What once was an A, B, C, I (incomplete) grading system, indicating insufficient progress at 70 percent, student scores between 60-69 percent are now considered passing grades.

The main factor in the decision to expand the grading scale responses from polling staff, students and parents.

“Around seventy to eighty percent of the staff were for it, sixty to seventy percent of the students, and about seventy percent of the parents,” said Assistant Principal Brendon McMahon.

Another reason to give D grades was to off-set the number of students having to retake classes because of failing grades. Work that fell below the 70 percent mark received an F for the class and lost credit, affecting graduation rates.

“It was aimed to help along a lot of kids who are struggling learners and those who are struggling to get their credits for graduation,” explained McMahon. Overcrowding resulted when so many failing students had to retake classes.

“Last year my classes were huge. “Hopefully this year with D’s in effect more kids will pass and classes will thin out,” said sophomore Brittney Anderson. With fewer kids retaking courses, class sizes will be more manageable and provide space needed for incoming students. An additional perk is staffing dedicated to reteaching students can now offer more courses.

Some think D grades will bring down Colony’s high academic expectations.

“I think we are just lowering our standards; it makes it OK to have less than a seventy percent when it shouldn’t be,” sophomore Mikhayla Waugaman said. “Colony High School is no longer above average.” While using D’s for grading is aimed to help struggling learners, it can be abused by students who are capable of receiving better grades with more effort.

“It inspires people to slack off because they know they can pass with a D,” said junior Sarah Belle Srebernak.

Not having D’s made Colony different from other valley schools.

“I understand the need for consistency across the district, but I would have preferred to see other schools eliminate D’s rather than our school adding them,” explained English teacher Prudence Plunkett.

However, D’s have a place in the grading system. “It gives a little extra breathing room for sports players to stay eligible allowing them to play until they get things turned around. It also helps C average students with a bigger range to work with, giving them a better chance to pass,” said senior Zach Vance.

Students involved in extra curricular activities have to have at least a 2.0 GPA without any failing classes to be eligible, as set by Alaska State Athletic Association. Before, a student with less than a 70 percent automatically was not eligible. With D’s, more students are able to participate in extra activities. Conversely, teachers and students feel that if a student is struggling in classes, then extra-curriculars should be put on hold, making academics the priority.

“I feel I can sympathize for both sides of the issue, but I think having D’s better reflects a student’s performance,” explained Spanish teacher Dan Miles. D’s aid the students who need that extra bit of help to receive credit for a class and they also provide a more precise placement of a student’s grade. D grades will be a new experience at Colony. With the first quarter grading period coming to a close in mid-October, the effect will become more apparent.

Casey Branch is a sophomore at Colony High School.