ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - Hancock High School is going away from the traditional letter grades and GPA scores in an effort to better show student performance in class.
David Williams, the principal at Hancock High School, joined Chris Rongey and Amy Marxhors on 'The Chris and Amy Show' Thursday to explain their new grading system, called 'evidence-based instruction and assessment."
Williams say the system is a "standards-based instruction and assessment that's embedded in a philosophy that cultivates student agency, a growth mindset and uses research-based practices."
Williams says it will help the school will still have grades, but it will be done in a different way.
"We will continue to have grades, we still have grades," said Williams, "It's just how we calculate it will change."
Williams say the new grading system will help better show student performances more accurately.
"The real benefit is that it does allow us to have much more accurate scores on school performance," said Williams, "I have had some confusion about it and sometimes it is perceived as lowering the bar when it is really the opposite."
Williams deny accusations from a listener that the school is getting away from grades to make the school look good.
"The idea we're getting away from grades is inaccurate," said Williams, "It's a nonsensical comment. I would invite anyone to see what we're doing (at Hancock). Kid's probably get more feedback now on their academic performances than they ever had before."