NC turns to 10 point scale

Ella Webster, Reporter

Last week, the North Carolina Board of Education approved a new ten-point grading scale for high schools. This will go into effect for the upcoming freshman class of the 2015-2016 school year.

Previously, the grading scale used by NC high schools was a seven-point scale. The implementation of the new ten-point scale will allow high schoolers applying to college to be more competitive compared to other states that already use a ten-point scale.

“I think having a ten-point scale would be awesome. If I had those three extra points available to pull an A, I could be number one in my class. I wish the new scale was going to apply to me,” sophomore Ben Ralls said.

Ralls’ wish of having a ten-point scale is shared by many students around Broughton. Because the grade scale will go in effect for the freshmen entering in the 2015-2016 school year, all current students will remain having a seven-point scale for the rest of their time as students at Broughton.

“I’m so jealous of the people who are going to have the ten-point scale. I can’t believe it’s coming just as I’m leaving,” senior Jessica Willetts said.

Junior Adam Geringer has had a significant role in initiating the use of the new ten-point scale.

“Last February I drafted a bill to submit to the NCGA, and they then redirected me to the BOE, where I sat down with Rob Hines, who is in charge of grading. I published an article in the News & Observer, which was picked up by a lady from NPR. She published the article which brought even more attention to the issue. Then, later in June I made a presentation to the WCPSS school board on the issue, campaigning…and now here we are.” Geringer said.

The new grading scale also goes along with a change that will reduce the weight of academic and honors courses. With this change, high school students will receive one extra point for AP and IB level courses and half an extra point for honors courses.

The NC School Board made these changes in hopes to lower glade inflation and discourage students from packing their schedules with upper-level courses.