'Grade Inflation' At Hinsdale Central And South?

HINSDALE, IL — A recent grading change in Hinsdale High School District 86 is being calling "grade inflation" by opponents and a necessary response to the pandemic by supporters.

The school board has approved a policy that Hinsdale Central and South students can receive grades no lower than 50 percent, participants in the forum said.

On Sunday, the district's school board candidates responded to the question about the change at a virtual forum sponsored by Independent Voters for D86.

"I do not support this change," candidate Karen Shannon said. "I understand that this change was suggested in order to improve the morale of students. Nonetheless, it is going to institute a problem down the line when students apply to colleges. The colleges are going to catch on to this. It's not that we're going to hide this grade inflation. It's just the wrong way to teach students to be accountable for studying."

Board incumbent Marty Turek disagreed. He said school districts across the country are making similar changes.

"I don't like it, but during these difficult times, we have to be consistent or our grade point average would be way lower than those in our county, state and nation," he said.

Of the other candidates, Terri Walker, Jeff Waters, Debbie Levinthal and Mark Pinnow opposed the change, while incumbent Tamakia "TJ" Edwards and Justin Baron backed it. Candidate Peggy James did not give a definitive answer, but said the district was unprepared for the drop in students' grades last semester. Board President Kevin Camden did not take part in the forum, citing a family obligation.

Here are the other candidates' comments on the issue:

• Walker: "I don't support giving 50 percent as the lowest grade either. I think it sends the wrong message to the student and isn't helpful for the students who are turning in their assignments and doing their work appropriately." She said she may be open to dropping a student's lowest grade in a class. "You could accept that students have one bad day and did bad on a test."
• Waters: "I also do not agree with the practice. I do understand that kids are suffering mightily during the pandemic," but he said the grading change sends the wrong message.
• Baron: "It's a pandemic. We must make accommodations for these children. I have no problems with 50 percent being the lowest grade. Colleges have been understanding and loosening their standards." He said the district should focus on the educational gap caused by the pandemic.
• Edwards: She called the grading policy change a tough tissue, but contended it allows flexibility during the difficulties of the pandemic. She said teachers can tell the difference between students who are trying and those who are not.
• James: She said the change was trying to even the playing field. At the same time, she said, "I have to say our school district appeared to be a little unprepared or surprised by the student grades that first semester... Some D-86 students were successful with our COVID delivery models and others were not."
• Levinthal: "Philosophically, I'm not in favor of grade inflation. I've seen other things working just as well, such as dropping the lowest test grade." She said the new policy essentially gives a 50 percent, instead of a zero, for students who did not complete their work. "That is just a symptom of a bigger problem. We need to be looking at what resources to put in place to address the fact that students are missing work."
• Pinnow: He said the district needed to focus on the cause, not the symptom, of the problem. "We need to challenge the administration to see what intervention steps we need to take to improve the learning process... There is a reason why kids aren't learning. We can look at grade inflation or dropping the lowest grade, which I'm not in favor of. I would rather look at the cause. What can we do better to make sure kids are learning?"

The 10 candidates are vying for four board seats in the April 6 election.