Making the Grade

With schools and many other social and state-run institutions becoming more progressive, Hillsborough County has decided to join in, with its education board proposing to lower the weight of Exams on a student’s GPA from 33% to 25%. That 8% will no doubt drastically change many student’s overall GPA, generally in a positive context, but it may also stir up some controversy over such a drastic change. .” Some people argue that it isn’t fair to our students, which may be true, but there are other arguments saying that its appropriate.” So said Denny Jost, General Director of Education in Hillsborough County. The mild-mannered civil servant of two decades goes on to explain how the vote came to fruition in Hillsborough county: .” “Being an administrator for 20 years, the issue of exam weight has always been debated… many wondered if it was too heavy. 27 districts were polled in the state, and Hillsborough had the heaviest weight, (33%) of exams on final grades. Some weighed in at 25%, but the most popular weight seemed to be 20%. Only in one other school was at 33%… and that was an honors program..
Students in the County do not seems too worried with the vote that will take place on Tuesday, October 6th: Paul Bernhart, a Junior at H.B. Plant High School is optimistic about the vote. “I love the idea. I just started sending in my college applications, and if this changes the grade for the better on my transcripts. It will really help.” He quickly adds in: “ Especially I had to miss an exam today because I was sick.”
A follow up piece will be written following the vote on Tuesday.