Cobleskill-Richmondville won't be switching from standard grading to weighted grading in courses.
Although agreeing Monday night to leave grading as-is, school board members and administrators agreed to seek increased enrollment in tougher classes.
In a weighted system, a multiplier is applied to a grade based on the difficulty of the course. In other words, a more difficult course carries more weight in a student's grade.
During the months-long discussion and study, supporters argued that standard grading leads students to avoid more rigorous courses so that their grade-point average won't suffer.
In a weighted system, supporters contended, students are more likely to take difficult courses because of the new grading.
Marc Weiss, a C-R High School teacher and parent, made those points Monday night.
"We want to see more students encouraged to take courses of rigor," Mr. Weiss said. "They should be challenged by tougher courses."
Nobody disputed Mr. Weiss's points, but school officials felt weighted grading wasn't the way to go.
A detailed C-R study--involving faculty, students, what other high schools do, college admissions officials and administrators--indicated that weighted grading would have slight impact on students and their class rank.
It also showed that weighted grading has little impact on college admissions.
Finally, the study raised questions of what courses would be weighted and whether such a system would further an "uncomfortable academic hierarchy."
But school officials also acknowledged that enrollment in more difficult classes is low.
Pointing to another finding in the study, Superintendent Carl Mummenthey said parents and students would benefit from a stronger orientation as students enter high school.
Also, Mr. Mummenthey stressed, colleges often look at what courses students take, not so much their grades.
"Rigor is more important than ranking on grades," added school board President Bruce Tryon.
Student and parent orientation, Mr. Mummenthey said, should focus on the importance of taking rigorous classes.
Paul Rummel, a senior and also vice president of C-R's National Honor Society, agreed that more students should take difficult courses.
"Look at one of my AP [advanced placement] classes, and everyone can fit into one corner of the room," Paul said, adding that more students were taking such courses when he entered high school.
"The whole point is to get people to take tougher classes."
That goal, Mr. Mummenthey said, could be addressed by the newly-formed Strategic Planning Team that's looking at C-R academics.
Even though the board agreed to keep the standard grading system, member Susan Strasser urged that the issue be left open. Others agreed.