The topic is officially closed.
After 20 years of debate and research, plus/minus grading will be fully implemented at De Anza College in fall 2006.
Last Monday, data was presented to the Board of Trustees, showing no substantial adverse affect to students during a pilot run of the system, and an average GPA drop that was so small it was not statistically significant.
The board listened to and acknowledged student concerns to the contrary, but did not reverse their 2004 decision to implement the system.
Students are not happy. They fear they will not be accepted to transfer, that they will be forced to take fewer classes to maintain their grade point averages, or even that they will leave De Anza to a seek a college with a different grading system.
Students may feel let down by the Board of Trustees for not overruling the Academic Senate’s decision to implement the system, and even more disappointed with the faculty for pursuing what could be perceived as a punitive policy against students.
I for one, feel that the extended debate, fears and feelings overshadow the issues of greater importance.
De Anza College is arguably one of the best community colleges in California, with superior student services, transfer rates and course offerings. The quality of instruction and campus life will not be harmed by the new system.
Perhaps students are losing sight of what grades really are: not a randomly arbitrated faculty decision, but to a large extent, a reflection of their own work and dedication.
No students will automatically see their GPAs drop; that is still in their own control. Instead of accepting a minus, a student has the option to do extra credit or extra study to earn that extra few percentage points.
While more work might not sound fun, the new system can encourage students to pursue academics to an even greater extent.
There also seems to be an over-developed fear of the minus, without consideration of the benefits of a plus.
All students who have painfully accepted Bs for recieving an 89 percent in their class, the exact grade as a student who earned 9 percent lower, will now be able to see a grade that more accurately refl ects their performance.
In conclusion, a grade point average does not mean everything, not in life nor in transfer.
The average transfer GPA to Berkeley is 3.5 to 3.89. A student with a 3.97 (who would have been a 4.0 before plus/minus) will still be extremely competitive.
On the other hand, a student with a 4.0, but no other involvement or other experiences, may be rejected. Students should focus on making themselves well-rounded individuals, devoting themselves to the community and activities they believe in.
They should be developing life experiences and resumes, not worrying solely about hundredths of GPA points. Plus/minus grading may be a lost cause, but student success isn’t.
