Marion County schools are being pressured by state officials to change the time-tested A-B-C grading system to a numerical score of one, two or three. These scores would be given in different areas of each subject, three meaning the child has mastered the subject, one and two meaning that the child needs more work. This system, allegedly, will allow teachers to better evaluate each student and parents to help their children in the exact areas they need help, claiming that giving the student an A, B or C is a blanket grade and doesn't completely represent the child's performance. \n While this sounds like a wonderfully progressive strategy to boost Indiana's "commitment" to education, it is most likely a cosmetic attempt to reassure the citizens of this state. A variety of other solutions can be suggested. More parent-teacher conferences? Perhaps putting more money into education, especially at the elementary level, would be a better idea (24 hour casinos, anyone?). \nMore importantly though, changing the grading system won't change anything unless each parent takes an active role in their child's education. If they did, it wouldn't matter what grading system was in place, because it would all come down to this responsibility, one that automatically comes with procreation. With this new method, parents might believe that their legislature is doing all the work to improve their children's aptitude, giving them an excuse to slack off.\nProponents of this movement state that their ultimate goal is to improve Indiana Statewide Test for Educational Progress scores, the standard by which Indiana children are all judged. We wouldn't be breaking any new news in stating the validity of this standardized test is questionable. Further educational reform catering to the system seems archaic.\nThe proposed grading system is simply a small bandage for a gaping wound. Without getting into the cycle of poor teacher training coupled with low test scores to low teacher pay and back again, more money simply needs to be put into public education. \nChildren in public schools will become the masses of the future. Silly legislature such as this will not fix the problem. It all comes down to personal responsibility (and money). Standards have to be raised and children have to reach them. The parents and the teachers are responsible for this. A child cannot decide for himself and must be guided until he is old enough to do so, at which point it is up to him. A change in the indicators of skill will not change the level of skill. This has to be done before the report cards are sent home to mom and dad. \nAnd they're the ones to do it.
-- Ibrahim Iilyas for the Editorial Board
