San Francisco education officials have swiftly abandoned a controversial 'equity grading' system for K-12 schools just a day after its introduction.
U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Ca., speaks to a group of college Democrats, Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, in Ann Arbor, Mich. Khanna expressed disappointment in the new grading plan. San Francisco education officials have swiftly abandoned a controversial "equity grading" system for K-12 schools just a day after its introduction, following intense bipartisan backlash.
The proposed system allowed students to retake tests, skip homework without penalty, and earn an "A" with an 80% score. A 41% would receive a "C." "This policy proves California stays at the top of the idiot index. This is such a stupid idea," criticized businessman Kevin O'Leary. "You want to teach kids good habits so when they become an adult, they can be successful in the adult world, and what equitable grading does is it rewards or incentivizes unsuccessful behaviors," explained Rhyen Staley, a researcher with Parents Defending Education. San Francisco's Democratic Mayor Daniel Lurie expressed his own concerns on social media, writing, "We owe our young people an education that prepares them to succeed. The proposed changes to grading at SFUSD would not accomplish that." California Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna also weighed in. "Giving A’s for 80% & no homework is not equity—it betrays the American Dream and every parent who wants more for their kids," Khanna posted on X. San Francisco's Superintendent Maria Su told the San Francisco Chronicle, "It’s clear there are a lot of questions, concerns, and misinformation with this proposal." Equity grading has its supporters. Tiffany Cross, author of "Say It Louder!", argued, "I think for the millions of educators out there, they can tell you that grading equity actually does help with students understanding the curriculum they’re being taught." The push for equity grading gained momentum during the COVID-19 pandemic, coinciding with declining American test scores. Jonathan Butcher, a senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation, said, "We’re at a point where reading and math scores are at or near historic lows in both 4th and 8th grades. This is not the time to be lowering standards." Equitable grading has also proven to be a lucrative business. Education consultant Joe Feldman, the movement's proponent, has reportedly earned around $3 million from 27 school districts over the past decade, according to a tally by Parents Defending Education researcher Rhyen Staley.
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