Grading and College Admissions
Much anxiety has been expressed about what a standards-based reporting
system would do to our students who are trying to get into a college or
university. That anxiety is understandable. However, let’s get a clear
picture of the current situation. Colleges such as Bowdoin, Bates, and
Colby, or the University of Maine system, and out-of state institutions
such as Cornell or Brown receive thousands upon thousands of
applications each year from every state in our country, and from many
countries throughout the world. There is no one grading or ranking
system that is more acceptable or less acceptable to those colleges or
universities. However, what each institution requires is an accompanying
document that clearly explains that high school’s grading system.
For example, our grading system lists an A in the range of 93 to 100.
Lewiston High School may list the A as 90-100. In some schools, 60 is
passing. At Hall-Dale, 70 is passing. What the college or university
wants is the document that provides the explanation as to how our
student was
graded throughout his or her high school career. In addition, we have
heard from many colleges and universities who have said they review the
types of courses our students have taken, involvement in
extra-curricular activities, honors and awards, community activities –
in essence, the whole student, not just a grade point average.
In a conversation with the dean of admissions of Colby College, he
states that in the best of “both worlds,” there would be a system that
from a high
school perspective “does what is best for students to improve learning
and for teachers to improve teaching.” In addition, colleges favor a
system that
makes it easier and more efficient to go through “a large number of
applications to determine the best suited candidates for our
institution. We need information that is lucidly displayed and gives a
clear picture of the student’s potential.” He goes on to state that if
it is a standards-based system, he favors one that allows for some
distinction among the higher achievers. For example, a student could be
recognized for earning the “exceeds standards distinction over a four
year period.” We would ensure that every student applying to a college
is provided with ample documentation to allow that institution to get a
clear and accurate picture as to the student’s achievements. We will put
no student at a disadvantage.
For additional information look at this report: College Admissions
and Standards Based Reporting
