Another Federal Way School District standards-based grading forum was held on Oct. 30. When will the grading forums end? Now the district wants more community SBG grading quality and practices feedback in alignment with who knows whose idea of “best practices” (where are the best practices documented)?

So then where is the comparative analysis based on facts, data and evidence proving the ABCF grading system is a “best practice”; a grading system I believe I have shown to irrefutably place our sons and daughters at a GPA disadvantage from those who use the plus/minus system?

Where is there proof the plus/minus system is not a “best practice”? If “best practices” exist why would we continue to waste any more money and people’s time on the subject? After all, how do you improve a “best practice”? Obviously you can’t; just implement them and be done; no feedback, focus or study groups necessary.

Also, what grading change recommendations were proposed to the district? Which recommendations were rejected and why? Which recommendations were accepted and why? Where is all this data documented for public viewing?

The district needs to rid itself of antiquated processes that are so slow and inflexible so as to be non-responsive to the immediate needs of our students. Our sons and daughters cannot afford the luxury of waiting years on end for the district to find a grading solution that almost certainly will not and will never be perfect anyway.

There is no perfect grading model. There is only a range from worst to best and right now the district needs to stop sacrificing the good for the impossible perfect and implement the “better” plus/minus grading system that is fairer to all of our students. Will this be talked about at the forum?

Frank Comito

Federal Way