This year the grading system was changed to a Summative and Formative system where the Summative assessments count for 70-90% of the grade and the Formative assessments count for only about 10-30%. This system has negatively impacted many students’ grades because the homework, classwork, and participation grades count for much less.

Many students have complained about their grades dropping significantly because of one quiz or test. Especially since some kids aren’t the best at taking tests, the fact that they’re weighed more heavily than anything else seriously hurts them. In my opinion, it is unfair to judge someone's intelligence on whether or not they can take a test. As Albert Einstein once said, "Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will live it's whole life thinking it is stupid." Why are we basing every student's smarts on their test and quiz grades? I do see the value in weighing tests, quizzes, projects, and bigger assignments heavier, but the change in the worth of these grades should be less drastic and more balanced.

This system has also made it extremely difficult to correct a poor grade. Students have been stressing about grades and it’s been impacting many people’s mental health. If we change the grading system back to the way it was last year, a point based system, students would be able to more easily maintain a good grade and fix a bad one. Teachers would also be able to understand what the student needs help with and they could fix the mistakes together.

I personally have experienced the impact of this change. If the system was still point based, all of my grades would be higher. All the students I’ve talked to about the new system have said it’s negatively impacted their grades and their student life. All we want is the old point based system back, and if that system doesn't work we could also create a group of students, teachers, and administrators to create a new system that works for all our academic needs.