State Superintendent Mo Green discusses academic gains during a meeting of the State Board of Education. (Screengrab: NCDPI video stream)
North Carolina education officials want to change the way public schools are graded, moving away from a heavy focus on test scores and toward new metrics that capture a broader picture of student success.
At its Wednesday meeting, the State Board of Education heard a proposal from Department of Public Instruction officials to create a new task force that would change school performance measures. The current A–F grading model, in place since 2015, has faced criticism for its heavy reliance on standardized test scores, which some argue does not adequately measure the full scope of a school’s success.
Currently, the grading system focuses primarily on test scores in a few core subjects, which means the contributions of many teachers are not fully represented. The proposed task force would develop a multi-measure model assessing not just test proficiency but also student growth, access to advanced coursework and career training, and progress toward graduation.
“Our current system doesn’t necessarily reflect what folks see in the daily work in their schools,” said Dr. Michael Maher, DPI’s chief accountability officer.
“It is a limited reflection of readiness for college career and life. Because it’s heavily weighted on an individual test score on an individual day, it doesn’t give us the full picture of what’s happening in schools,”Maher told the board on Wednesday.
The effort falls under Pillar 6 of the board’s new five-year strategic plan, which calls for “transformative change” in public education.
Board member Olivia Oxendine questioned DPI officials on how this task force would differ from past attempts to change the state’s school accountability system.
Maher said that this task force will be established directly by the State Board of Education, unlike previous efforts. He also noted the department now has several years of research and prior work to draw on.
“They will receive homework, an orientation packet, which will include the prior work done so that that work is not lost. That was important work,” added Rupen Fofaria, director of board operations and policy.
Despite those assurances, Oxendine said she worries that focusing too much on changing measures could distract from the core goal of improving student achievement in reading and math. While she acknowledged the frustration many feel with the current grading system, she warned against creating a model that “just puts lipstick on a pig.”
“I want an accountability model that is also about increasing the reading achievement of kids, the math achievement,” Oxendine said. “I don’t hear that in this discussion.”
This isn’t the first push to change how schools are graded. Last year, former State Superintendent Catherine Truitt told lawmakers that the current grading system is “broken” and fails to provide parents and communities with useful information.
The task force will include representatives from the state board, lawmakers, educators, researchers, and community leaders.
“This is about giving families and educators information they can actually use,” Maher said.
Hence then, the article about nc education leaders seek overhaul of school grading system was published today ( ) and is available on NC news line ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( NC education leaders seek overhaul of school grading system )
Also on site :
- Saudi Arabia to unify LPG gas cylinder prices nationwide from January 2026
- Two dozen killed in Ukrainian strike on Russian New Year’s celebration – governor
- Volunteer in Iran’s Revolutionary Guard reportedly killed during widening protests