Portland
School Committee's
Policy Committee
Information about Weighted Grades and Class Rank
The issue of weighting grades for the purpose of calculating class rank came before the Policy Committee of the Portland School Committee. Currently, the Portland School Committee has instituted a sunset provision on the policy of class rank, which will end the practice starting with the class of 2012.
It is the duty of the Policy Committee to (a) develop and recommend a new policy on calculating class rank in high schools, to (b) recommend re-instatement of the current method of calculating class rank for the class of 2012, or to (c) recommend removing class rank altogether. The Policy Committee’s formal recommendation to the Portland School Committee will be subject to a vote before adoption.
A public forum took place on May 2, 2007 to gather input about the issue.
Click here to find out more about the process, timeline and additional opportunities for public input. Click here to read student input on the issue. Click here to read the former weighted grades policy. Click here to read comments from Maine college officials on the issue. Click here to read the research literature review on weighted grades conducted by Bates College students. Click here to read the new graduation reporting policy that was adopted unanimously by the School Committee on June 13, 2007.
Click here to see a graphic of the principals' draft proposal for a Latin honors system. Click here to read a comparison of Latin honors and weighted grades. Click here for the motion voted on by the School Committee on December 19, 2007.
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Committee Minutes