School Board Considers Grading Change
By Stephanie Mariel Petrellese

At the April 11th work session, the Garden City Board of Education discussed a proposal presented by Dr. Teresa Prendergast, the district's assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, which calls for changing the physical education grading for next year's high school freshmen and sophomores from a pass/fail system to a numerical grade.

Middle school students have been receiving numerical grades and the department has seen a noticeable increase in effort and overall performance, reported Nancy Kalafus, the district's director of physical education and athletics. Ninety-seven percent of students received a grade of 95 or above. Only two students received a grade below 90.

The physical education committee which studied the issue recommended that ninth- and tenth-graders receive numerical grades since they are in the same gym class. Students who will be in ninth grade next year will already be familiar with the numerical grading system from middle school.

The grade will not be calculated in the overall GPA. Teachers will base their grade on personal and social responsibility, overall improvement, participation and effort, preparation for class and overall attendance and content knowledge with regard to skill assessment.

"Physical education is no longer the course we took as students," Dr. Prendergast explained. "The focus today is really looking at overall physical fitness and responsibility for life-long learning."

School Board Vice President Colleen Foley expressed concern that the grade will be put on transcripts. Dr. Feirsen and his staff will investigate the issue, find out how other school districts handle physical education grading and report back to the Board.