ARCHIVE

State colleges, universities have differing opinions about grading scale

Sports reporter

From parents to students, and high school guidance counselors to Marion-Florence USD 408 residents, everyone has an opinion on the recently debated topic of the grading scale.

Currently USD 408 has a scale from fourth through 12th grade that is as follows: 94-100, A; 86-93, B; 75-85, C; 68-74, D; and 67 and below, F.

While many variables determine what an A or B really mean, some of the most important decision makers on that topic are the people who work in the admissions and scholarships offices of colleges and universities around the country.

Larry Moeder, Director of Communications at Kansas State University, said while GPA is not the only factor, the school doesn't decipher from different grading scales.

"We use the GPA provided by the high school," Moeder said.

Discussion at recent USD 408 board of education and Marion High School site committee meetings has focused on whether students would adjust to whatever scale is set.

Moeder said he could not answer that question specifically, but did say he notices students at KSU who need to re-qualify for scholarships a lot of the times shoot for the minimum GPA requirement to keep their scholarship.

"They work toward what they need," Moeder said.

Landon Jordan, financial aid administrator at Tabor College, said if a high school was on a 10-point grading scale (90-100, A; 80-89, B; etc.) it would be more beneficial considering most colleges use that grading scale.

However, Jordan also thought students could possibly adjust to any scale put in front of them.

"It's probably not going to make much of a difference," he said.

The University of Kansas uses a points system (Tabor does as well) when deciding on who receives scholarships, which includes GPA, an essay, and involvement in outside activities.

Megan Hill, who used to work in the scholarship department at KU and currently is the assistant director of office operations at the university, said there are approximately 5,000 scholarships per year given out to students.

With all the factors taken into consideration, she doesn't feel GPA alone will make or break a student.

"It doesn't come down to GPA," Hill said.

She also thinks students could benefit from a higher grading scale.

"You could use it as a motivater," Hill said. "In education we want [students] to do the absolute best they can do."

At Butler Community College, GPA has no bearing on admittance, but does so on scholarships.

The admissions department at Butler is not allowed to talk to the press, but a scholarship form on its web site asks for GPA (not rounded and accurate to two decimal places), rank in class, number of students in class, and ACT score.

Nearly every two and four-year college and university seems to have a different take on what elevates a student to the top. And every high school that reports to them, has a different opinion as well.

At Wichita Collegiate High School, grades don't exist. Certain number scores stand for excellent, above average, acceptable (or passing), and failing.

The numbers are shown on the transcript, and colleges and universities decipher the data however they wish.

MHS guidance counselor Phoebe Janzen deals with colleges and universities almost on a daily basis, and if one thing is clear, it's the fact that it's never completely clear when it comes to grades.

She said it differs from one institution to the next.

"It all depends on their philosophy," she said.

Quantcast