Diller-Odell Adjusts Grading System

In an attempt to even the playing field for Diller-Odell students, the school board has changed the grading scale system for grades 7-12.At the December Diller-Odell School Board meeting, superintendent Mike Meyerle informed the board that he conducted a survey of schools in ESU 5 to compare grading systems. Meyerle noted that Diller-Odell has one of the strictest grade point systems in the ESU, which includes 10 schools. A 94-100 is an A at Diller-Odell, however, under the scale, a 94-95 is an A-, which would prevent a student from achieving a 4.0 grade point average (GPA).“A lot of schools have 93-100 is an A. So, if you have a 93, or a 99, or a 100, it is all an A,” Meyerle explained to the board.He suggested to the board going to a compromise of having a fairer system comparable to other schools.“It does seem like, it would be more fair for our kids, on a more even playing field for area schools. Some may make the argument we are watering it down. Some schools have gone to a 10-point scale. You could have straight 90s and have a 4.0. At Diller-Odell, currently, you could have straight 95’s and not have a 4.0,” Meyerle said.Meyerle noted a change would be retroactive for current students and explained to the junior class the proposed system.“It would automatically change the formula in Powerschool. So, if you had a 93 as a freshman, that would be an A,” Meyerle said. “An A is an A.” The scale, as proposed by Meyerle, would be: 93-100 an A; 90-92 B +; 86-89 B; 84-85 C+; 78-83 C; 76-77 D +; 70-75, D; 69 and below is F.A goal Meyerle had with the change was to help Diller-Odell students stay competitive with scholarships.Meyerle noted that one student that graduated last year that had one A- in their high school career and did not get a 4.0. He commented that students may get a better scholarship offer to certain schools with a 4.0 than a 3.99 GPA.“I think this is a positive change. Times have changed a little bit. That is why I think some schools went to a 10-point scale or a little bit more lenient. We can help our kids out, I mean, we’re not telling them not to try, but I think maybe we can help them out a little bit,” Meyerle said.The board passed the proposal unanimously.Also at the meeting the board agreed to dissolve their golf team partnership with Wymore Southern and agreed to join the Beatrice high school baseball squad. Meyerle noted that this would not be a cooperative but Diller-Odell students would be allowed to join the Beatrice Orange baseball squad.

Edna Marie Mason

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