Kayleigh Katz

Seattle high-schoolers can now get failing grades

For the first time in seven years, Seattle public high-school students who do poorly can receive a failing grade on their report cards.

Since 2000, not a single student has received an E, a mark more commonly known as an F. High schools instead handed out N's for "no credit," which didn't affect a student's grade-point average and took much of the sting out of failure.

But the E is back — effective immediately.

The reason, the district says, is a technical one. In a larger review of high schools, a district committee recently realized that the exclusive use of N's violated School Board policy.

The change, however, has been welcomed by many principals and teachers who believe that students should face more consequences for failure.

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A step in the right direction?

Korimyr the Rat

Probably, because it at least requires that students meet minimum requirements before graduation-- requirements beyond merely having their ass in the right seat for the minimum number of days.

Reckon they have a lot further to go before they're on the right track, though.

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Simon W. Moon

If they had to repeat classes that they didn't get credit for I don't see that it makes any difference. Several centuries ago, when I was in high school, that's what happened if you got and F. You had to repeat the class in summer school.

If the outcome was the same and the only difference was which letter was printed on their report card (they used to write them on mine) I don't really see what difference it makes.

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