As students in Baltimore County Public Schools headed to their first day of school Wednesday, superintendent of schools Dallas Dance weighed in on new grading policies that are causing some controversy.
Based on the new policy, if a student is late to class or doesn't turn in homework it won't hurt their final grade. It's a policy the school system is testing in order to keep students from losing motivation and confidence over penalties for things that aren't centered around learning itself.
See also: Baltimore County grading policy removes conduct, homework from final scores
Penalties based on behavior are being ruled out and students will be rated separately in those areas.
"You want to make sure that students build solid relationships with you, first and foremost in the classroom, which then is going to translate to you being able to teach them quality material that's going to be reflected into their grade," Baltimore County Public Schools superintendent Dr. S. Dallas Dance said.
Dance said the teachers union approved the policies, acknowledging something needed to change when it comes to grading students.
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