In this new school year, COVID isn’t the only large impact that has affected students. As most know, a new grading system known as standards-referenced grading (SRG) has been adopted by the USD 259 district. 

Many students believe these changes have affected them negatively in class and in sports. With the new grading system, many grades will increase over the semester, allowing them to work their way up toward the expected grade instead of starting at 100%. This has made it harder for some students to participate in extracurricular activities since many of those in SRG classes may have Ds early on until they are able to improve or work their way up which doesn’t fit well with the D & F list. 

Most students we talked to said that the combination of SRG and the D & F list was confusing since a D is considered passing. Many also said the list makes them anxious and is putting them at a disadvantage. Another student mentioned that the new grading system was also impacting the parental standards at home which is stressful. “It felt like I was being held back with not being able to go to any events,” Marco Phillips (12) said.

The purpose of the D and F list is to hold students accountable for academics, before attending extracurricular activities. But changes have recently been made. Now, if you have two or more F’s or five unexcused tardies, you are not able to participate in activities, ignoring any D’s a student may have.

Instructional Coach Thomas Auge says, there is a possibility that the list could change over time as the new grading system progresses.

“If we keep the current system, I believe that we may need to drop the number of F’s from the D and F list from two to one. If they change what constitutes an F in SRGs, then I don’t think a change will need to be made,” Auge said.

Since some students were not fully aware of the new list, they are recently more confident in their grades when attending events or participating in sports. The adjustments that have been made make it easier for some to partake in the sports and clubs they love.

“Now I can attend school activities and support my friends,” Marisol Langston (11) said.