My name is Christian Knutson and I’m an eighth-grade student at Kilo Middle School in the Federal Way School District.

As you know, the Federal Way School District has adopted a new grading system. It is very frustrating to many students. The community needs to know what their children are going through. This grading system makes it very difficult for kids to know how they are doing. Only a “one” or “zero” is entered in the grade book. It hinders the smart kid and the kid who struggles. The C student may not get a “one” (passing grade) because the new passing is 80 percent, and the 90 percent student will not know to strive for that 100 percent because all they see is a “one.”

For example when I get a “one,” I think I’m doing great, when in reality I may just be getting a B+. I know a B+ is OK for some kids, but I strive to get an A or A+ because I know that a good college will accept me with those grades. I won’t know if I need to add a little more detail, study a little harder or ask a teacher to explain a concept in a different way. That “one” doesn’t offer me enough detail to strive for an A+ versus a B+. It’s only a “one.” It doesn’t show me or my classmates our “range” of skills.

I hope the school district will cancel this new “one” or “zero” grading system and go back to a letter or percent grade as soon as possible. It is too important for the Federal Way kids to really understand whether they are learning their school work at a level aimed to meet their future goals.

Christian Knutson, Federal Way