School district ends lowest grade policy, will now allow students to get a zero

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS/Gray News) – A school district in South Carolina is removing its grading floor policy, which will now allow students to receive a zero.

Previously, the Sumter County School District had a grading policy in which the lowest score a student could receive was a 50%.

However, on Aug. 12, the school district board voted 5-3 to remove the policy, meaning that students will receive their actual grade at the end of the first quarter, even if that score is under 50%.

Sumter County School Board Chairman Ralph Canty said he voted for removing the policy because he feels it allows for some students to take advantage of the system and not try in the classroom.

“The thing that frightens me about that policy is that it seemed to suggest that you don’t have to do your best,” Canty said.

Canty said now that the vote is final, the removal of the policy will take effect immediately.

“Education should not be as much about a second chance as it is about a privilege,” Canty said. “I believe that every student needs to be committed to the educational process.”

Copyright 2024 WIS via Gray Local Media, Inc. All rights reserved.