Oklahoma Schools May Face A-F Grading Scale

Oklahoma schools may find themselves under the same grading system as their students. The State Department of Education is considering an A-F grading system for Oklahoma public schools.

"An A-F grade is important in that it will provide greater transparency for our schools and will draw more parental and community involvement," Superintendent of Public Instruction Janet Barresi said.

"It is evident that schools that have higher levels of parent and community involvement have better-performing educators and better-prepared students."

The grading system will use the assessment results from the 2011-12 school year as well as other factors like graduation and dropout rates and the number of students taking advanced placement courses for high schools, and attendance rates for elementary schools.

Read this and other proposals in the Education Law Book.

The A-F grading system will be easy for parents to understand just how their children's school ranks, according to Barresi.

The new rule is open for public comment through March 19, and the State Board of Education will vote on the grading system March 29.

Send written comments on A-F or other draft rules submissions to the State Board of Education Office, 2500 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73105-4599, or rules@sde.ok.gov.