KSC: Then and now

 

From high school to college, many students accepted to Keene State College realized a rather different grading process which most education systems do not use.

KSC uses a half grade system, meaning typical grades are clumped together.

The pattern follows A, AB, B, BC and so on. This system, unlike those of other local schools of higher education, such as University of New Hampshire, University of Vermont, Dartmouth College and Umass Amherst, all of which use the A-, B+ system.

Now, KSC faculty are fighting to have the grading system changed to the standard version which most schools use, also known as the thirds system.

According to a poll of 50 KSC students conducted by sophomore John Farrell, 74 percent of students think the change would have a positive effect on grading.

“I think it would be a lot easier because you have set grades and then you don’t have to have ridiculous ranges in grades,” said sophomore Jenna Spatz.

Many professors agree with the change.

“I think [the current grading system] is a disadvantage,” english professor Katherine Tirabassi said. “Sometimes I want to give a student a ‘B-,’ but I’m not comfortable giving a ‘BC’ because they don’t deserve to have that ‘C’ attached.”

But some students do not agree with the possible change.

“This would likely be a con because it would make people more worried about their grade rank because the system is more complex,” said freshman Kyle Petrillo.

According to Farrell’s poll, the trends in students who responded negatively to the change stated worry with a more complicated system rather than simplicity, standardizing the grading system which makes it less unique and added stress to perform.

However, Pam Backes, the associate director of academic and career advising, said she does not think the change will prove a useful tool.

“It gives room for teacher’s emotions. It gives too much of a leeway to students,” Backes said. “The current system is clean and the math is simple to comprehend. The computer system is going to have to change along with everything.”

According to Backes, changing a grading system can run up an expensive price tag as all the computes would need to change templates, which may not prove wise during the current economic crunch.

“The grading system is going to open a new can of worms,” Backes stated. “I want to know why the faculty wants it changed and why it is so much better.”

Tirabassi said most teachers agree it boils down to one key argument.

“I think the possible new system is more representative of a student’s work,” Tirabassi said.

Student body representative, Anne Cerilli, said the vote within KSC’s student government was to keep the current grading system with results of 12 in favor, five in favor of the change and two abstaining from the voting process.

The college senate sent out a paper ballot poll to all faculty members during the week of March 9. The senate voted on this issue Wednesday, April 15.

Check KeeneEquinox.com for an update on the result.