The first semester of the newly implemented minus grading system is in the books, and already Loyola’s progress report shows positive feedback from the faculty.
According to provost and vice president of Academic Affairs Ed Kvet, Loyola is pleased with the “more uniform grading scale” put in place last semester. He said the faculty for the most part has embraced the minus system and has already begun using it within their courses.
“We had a recommendation that came from the deans but we went through all of the colleges. The faculty voted on it so my assumption is that they wouldn’t have voted for it if they didn’t think it was the right thing,” Kvet said. “It was unanimous throughout all the colleges. It’s been positive.”
The new grading system took effect last fall after Loyola conducted studies in search of universities with a system similar to Loyola’s.
Loyola was one of few universities that used plus grades without minus grades. After much consideration, Loyola decided to adopt the system most universities around the country used, allowing professors to give minus grades such as an A or B minus to balance out the plus grades.
Although Loyola has adopted the minus system, it isn’t required in every course. Professors can use whatever grading scale they deem necessary for their respective courses, Kvet said.
English instructor Jennifer Jeanfreau hasn’t implemented the minus system in her courses yet. She said she uses standard letter grades without pluses or minuses to grade the students’ work.
“I actually prefer fewer possibilities to give students a better idea of the quality of their work,” she said.
“It’s not just good, average, below average anymore, now we’ve got more levels that we’re using to evaluate their work. That’s the biggest drawback to me.”
Other professors, however, began using the new grading scale in their courses last semester.
According to mass communication associate professor Leslie Parr, the addition of minuses in the grading system provides a clearer distinction between students who put forth their best effort in a course and those who do the bare minimum.
“It’s never made sense to me to have pluses without minuses. To me, there’s a big difference between a C plus and a B for example. The minuses will more accurately reflect a student’s work,” Parr said.
Biology instructor Kathy Anzelmo shares similar views with Parr and said the minus grades could serve as motivation for students to do the work needed to earn the grade they desire.
“I don’t see the effort from students that I used to see. I’ve been teaching since the 1970s and I just don’t see the effort anymore,” Anzelmo said.
“Students should accept the responsibility. They want teachers to do a little bit more for them so I think it’s a good carrot for their nose to try to make them push a little bit harder in class.”
Despite the several professors who choose not to use the scale, Kvet said Loyola would continue to allow each professor to decide what scale best fits their course in the future. The university would not make any particular grading system mandatory.
Kvet also anticipates no more changes in the system. No one will be able to receive an A plus or D minus grade.
Craig Malveaux can be reached at [email protected]
