New grading system at Alexandria schools sparks confusion

WASHINGTON – Parents of Alexandria elementary school children are concerned and confused by a new grading system that doesn’t use letters.

Instead of letter grades, the new system rates a student’s progress on certain skills, like comprehending material, on a scale of 1 to 4. Students don’t receive an overall score for a broad subject like reading, the Washington Post reports.

The changes are new this fall for Alexandria elementary schools. Elementary schools in Fairfax, Arlington and Montgomery counties have already begun using similar grading systems, according to the Post.

So what do you think? Are local schools who are dropping letter grades from report cards making the right call? Is the new system too confusing for parents or not helpful to kids? Call WTOP’s Talkback line at 1-877-222-1035, post a comment in this story, comment on WTOP’s Facebook page or use #WTOP on Twitter.

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