New LCPS grading policies took effect this semester, bringing changes to summatives, homework, and retakes—and sparking mixed reactions from students and teachers.
Under the revised policy, the previous 50% minimum score, or “floor grade” only applies to quarter grades and not individual assignments. Additionally, this floor grade no longer applies to AP or advanced placement classes. Another prominent change is the updated retake policy. Similar to the past few years, students must have completed any formative work, including homework, showing reasonable effort before being allowed to retake any major assessment. However, this year LCPS lowered its retake cap from 80% to 70%, a move that contrasts sharply with Fairfax County’s 90% cap.
“I don’t understand the lowering of the retake cap, it’s pretty infuriating”, says Tuleen Alhennwani, junior, who thinks the retake cap is the worst part of the new policy.
“In my experience, most people who do need to retake do fall in the 70 range and I don’t think it will have a positive impact at all.” Alhennwani mentions.
Many students are concerned that this policy in particular will bring down their grade averages for the year, namely AP students who already struggle with challenging coursework.
“With AP tests, a lot of retakes don’t often guarantee a better score. For AP World, tests aren’t really worth retaking anyways unless they’re below a 70 I don’t really see an issue,” comments Sarah Jedrzejczak, an AP World teacher.
Teachers of academic classes share similar sentiments.
“I don’t believe it is as world-ending as many students claim. While I think it could definitely have a negative impact- a 70 and an 80 is quite a gap-in the grand scheme of things I still think students who put effort into succeeding will succeed and people who don’t will not. And that goes for both my classes,” shares Susan Fitzgerald, who teaches Algebra 1 and AP precalculus.
Also controversial is the formative policy, that states that all formatives can count to up to 10% of a student’s grade. These formatives can either be graded for completion, in the case of homework, or accuracy, in the case of small quizzes. Thus, unlike previous years, not completing your homework has the ability to bring down your grade. When asked her thoughts, Jedrzejczak shares a neutral view:
“I think a lot of teachers share the same opinion that it wouldn’t make a huge difference anyways, since people still won’t do their homework under the justification that ‘it doesn’t count for much’. But I do expect people doing other coursework in my class!” Jedrzejczak mentions.
“I am a lot more conscious about my assignments, which I guess is good, but it’s also stressful since I can’t risk not prioritizing it when I’m busy,” Allhennwani comments.
Overall, the year has just begun, so only time will tell if these changes will have any major effects— positive or negative.
