by Deepika Shrestha ‘27

A new MCPS grading policy for high school has gotten rid of the so-called “50-percent rule” in which students received an automatic minimum 50 percent on assignments even if they did not work. Beginning this year, students get a zero if they do not attempt the assignment, do not turn it in by the final deadline at interim or the quarter, or put “minimal effort” into it. The policy is set in place for all subjects at Sherwood.

Schools around the county have some discretion about how to support students and help them complete assignments and tests. If Sherwood students are not completing their assignments, teachers should contact parents and may set aside time for students during class to complete assignments or have them come at lunch or an advisory period. Students can also turn in assignments after a five-day late deadline for a grade of fifty percent, but they can not turn it in after interims, or the quarter.

Health teacher Heather Giovenco is very much in favor of the new grading policy and thinks it prepares students for life after high school. She believes the “50-percent rule” led students to believe that in the real world doing the bare minimum will be acceptable for college and working jobs. “The 50-percent rule teaches students they can get credit for doing nothing and minimal work is good enough when in the real world not doing more than fifty percent gets you fired,” said Giovenco.

Social studies teacher Scott Allen has seen an increase in engagement with students and also from their parents if they see a zero in the grade book rather than a grade of 50 percent on an assignment. “Parents seem to take much greater notice when a Z or zero shows up in the grade book because it has a much larger impact on a student’s grade than a 50 percent would,” said Allen.