Recently, the Unified School District in San Francisco, Northern California, proposed an “equity grading” system in education, sparking heated discussions in society. Despite the district ultimately announcing a temporary halt to the implementation, the widespread dissemination of the news through media and social platforms has also raised concerns among many parents in Southern California – fearing that local school districts may follow suit in the future.
The concept of “education equity grading” refers to student grading standards no longer being based solely on test scores, but also taking into account factors such as learning progress, classroom participation, and overall performance. Supporters believe that this approach can cater to students with lower starting points or disadvantaged backgrounds, promoting equal educational opportunities. However, there are also opposing voices pointing out that this system may lead to grade “inflation,” weakening the objectivity and rigor of academic assessment.
In response to this issue, Wu Mengzhen, the former president of the Los Angeles County Board of Education Association and current board member of the Mountain View School District (MVSD), stated that as of now, no school district in Southern California has implemented “education equity grading,” and she has not come across any relevant proposal or discussion at the county board level in Los Angeles.
Wu Mengzhen pointed out that there are a total of 81 independent K-12 school districts within Los Angeles County, where education policies and grading standards are autonomously determined by each district; even within the same county, completely different systems may be adopted.
She suggested that if parents have concerns about policies, they should directly contact the school board of their children’s district rather than relying solely on information from the internet; understanding of educational policies should be based on actual verification and communication, avoiding being misled by information on social platforms that do not specify regional differences.
Regarding the lively discussions among many Chinese parents on social media, Wu Mengzhen reminded that newly immigrated families often mistakenly believe that principals have the power to make policy decisions. However, in the American education system, principals are only administrative executors, and the true responsibility for policy-making lies with the school board members elected by the public.
“From our understanding and communication within the board of education association, the likelihood of this system being implemented in Southern California is extremely low, so parents can rest assured.” Wu Mengzhen further analyzed that the overall style of the education system in Southern California is relatively conservative compared to the experimental reform tendencies in Northern California. In addition, teacher unions play a crucial role in policy promotion, and she believes that implementing equity grading would increase the administrative burden on teachers. Without the approval of the union, it would also be challenging to push for systemic changes.
Wu Mengzhen believes that whether parents support or oppose any system, actively understanding how the district operates and participating in public education affairs is the first step in safeguarding students’ rights. Regardless of any doubts, parents should bravely raise them because it is not just about advocating for academic achievements but also about speaking up for their children’s future. ◇