Teachers share their perspective on the FCPS grading scale

English 9 and English 9 Honors teacher Melissa Phillips
Years worked at AHS: 2

1. Do you believe Fairfax County should keep the 6-point grading scale? Why or why  not?

I can see both sides of it. When I taught in Florida, they used the 10-point scale, which didn’t make it very challenging for students to earn an A. On the other hand, I think there should probably be a state (or even nation) wide norm.


2. Do you think Fairfax County students are fairly assessed for college admissions? Why or why not?

Mostly, yes. I think schools know that grading scales vary. Also, Colleges do not solely focus on a student’s GPA. SAT scores, essays, and recommendation letters are also considered.


3. When so many school systems around us, for example Arlington County and St.   Stephens/St. Agnes Episcopal School, grade on a 10-point scale, should Fairfax County change its grading policy?

 I don’t think we can compare Fairfax County, a public school system, to private schools. However, perhaps we should have a state-wide norm among public schools.