Back in October Wake County Schools proposed banning giving out “zero grades” to students. The board proposed that educators give zeros a second chance, and instead of giving out zeros the minimum grade would be a 50.
This grading proposal caused quite a bit of controversy. Many educators say they understand the problem but don’t agree with the no-zero policy, because if a student doesn’t turn in their work by the deadline they must understand that they will be penalized.
Those for the bill say that students who get zeros find it harder to dig their way out of a failing grade and are more prone to drop out.
Yesterday the proposal was back in front of the leaders and because of the opposition the board backed away from banning zero grades and limiting punishment for handing in late assignments. Instead they are requesting more flexibility in having the teachers determine a grade or punishment for late work.
