Grading scale, longer school day under consideration in New Kent

New Kent School Board members will be considering issues that may bring significant changes to education in the county schools after hearing two proposals at their May 5 regular meeting.

School board officials will ponder over the next few weeks on the possibility of a 10-point grading scale and a permanent extension of the school day. A decision may be rendered at the school board’s May 19 work session.

Director of curriculum and instruction Nate Collins brought up the possibility of the changes after additional research conducted by an organized committee said those changes could benefit students in the long run.

“We brought this issue to the board last year,” said Collins at the meeting, referring to the grading scale. “With surrounding jurisdictions electing to go this route and additional information that we received from our research, I believe this is something that the board should consider.”

More information revealed by Collins indicated that a miniscule .15 grade-point average difference is the result of the change. He also said for advanced and honor courses, the scale would be weighted fairly to compensate the proposals and give incentives for students to challenge themselves academically. Elementary schools would be on a straight scale, while secondary schools will have a plus-minus factor instituted, if approved.

“Overall, this change also allows our students to be competitive for scholarships,” added Collins. “It gives them additional opportunities to be successful.”

Collins’ other suggestion recommended continuing with a longer school day for the 2014-15 year to add “bank time” for schools in case of inclement weather.

The suggestion for lengthening the school day comes from February action by the board when it lengthened the day by 10 minutes to make up for lost school days. According to Collins, the additional time will account for a total of 30 hours, or five extra school days, if needed to be used. If approved, the current dismissal times of 2:41 p.m. for the high school, 2:45 p.m. for the middle school, and 3:45 p.m. for the elementary schools will roll over to the next school year.

School board members elected not to take action on the issue, bypassing it until a second reading at its May work session before making a possible decision.