LTHS Still Backtracking On Grade Changes

LA GRANGE, IL – Nearly a month ago, some members of the Lyons Township High School board expressed unhappiness with parts of the school's new grading policies.

In response, Superintendent Brian Waterman promised to provide an update to the board in early July on the proposed changes for next semester.

He did not say whether such an update would be in a public meeting. Perhaps he emailed the plan to members.

The board has only met once since then. It held a closed session, where members could not legally discuss grading policies.

Last week, Waterman, who is off this week, sent a message to Lyons Township High School families about grading policies.

Last school year, homework did not count in grades at the school – one of the most controversial changes.

But in June, Waterman's administration proposed counting homework as 10 percent of the grade, but if it lowered a grade, it would not be counted.

In last week's message, the administration appears to have backed off even further from de-emphasizing homework. Waterman wrote, "These assignments must be graded and may impact the student's final semester grade."

Another big issue for parents is the increased ability of students to opt out of final exams.

Last week's message indicates the school is clamping down on the practice. Now, final exams are mandatory.

The policy states that students must be on campus and in class for every final exam period. Only second-semester seniors will be exempt from finals, according to the new policy.

The school is also imposing stricter rules on retakes of tests and assignments. Under the new policies, students will get two-week windows to submit any missing work before their grades on the assignments become zeroes.

Teacher teams can also choose to limit the number of retakes for students to a number that is equal to half the number of tests during the semester.

"We appreciate all the feedback we have received regarding our grading policy," Waterman said in the message. "We will continue to work to ensure we deliver a rigorous educational experience and hold our students to high expectations."

At a meeting last month, Waterman said the school had "significant" concerns with the earlier changes.

Many parents have opposed them, even starting a Change.org petition, collecting more than 1,800 signatures.

The next school board election is in April.