Letter to the editor

Dear Editor,

I’m writing you in regards to Simone Jameson’s article, “Grading system changes weighed.” As a recent graduate of the University of Georgia and current GCSU graduate student I was graded under this scale during my last two years of my undergraduate career. What I want GCSU’s students to know is that the plus/minus grading scale can simply be described as a pure gamble. You will either do better than you expected, or worse that you expected. It gives you extra points when you receive a ‘plus’ grade. I.E.: If one makes a B+ they will be given the same points an A- would receive, however, if one makes a B- they are given the same points that a C+ would receive.

In my opinion, the grade of an 83 does not deserve the same amount of GPA points given to a 78, but that’s what happens under the plus/minus system. Another thing that was a problem at UGA was that there was a C-, but no A+, completely offsetting the scale. Lastly, it must be remembered that if we mock UGA’s system, our students should know that if one makes below a C the class must be re-taken. That means a 73 and below is essentially a failing grade. My main question is: If we do indeed adopt the plus/minus system from GSU, UGA, and Emory, will we take it exactly how they have pinned it, with all of the downfalls, or will we correct it to make sure our students’ best interest is in mind?

Sarah Wilder

MAT graduate student

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Feb 19 2010. Filed under Letters to the Editor. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry