On the heels of a proposal by the Baldwin-Whitehall School District to eliminate class rank and establish a 4.2 QPA as the grade for achieving a Distinguished Graduate designation, the district's Council of Parent Teachers Association has made a formal request that could enhance a student's chances of attaining that QPA.

Nancy Crowder, president of the council that represents all five of the district's schools, said that the district should abandon its present grading format and replace it with a 10-point grading system.

"We are teaching our children that they have to be perfect to get an A," Ms. Crowder said.

She noted that the district was the only one in the South Hills to use a system where 93-100 is an A, 83-92 is a B, 70-82 a C and 60-69 a D.

"We are concerned about the average student and represent every child in the district, not just those with grade point averages above 4.0," she said.

Ms. Crowder said that the change would "put the district on the same playing field as the majority of schools in the South Hills and Allegheny County."

Districts, such as Bethel Park, Brentwood, Mt. Lebanon, Peters Township, Thomas Jefferson and Upper St. Clair use a 10-point grading system.

"The present [Baldwin-Whitehall] grading system causes undue stress to children and can lead to self-esteem issues," said Cindy Depretis, a PTA representative of Paynter Elementary.

Ms. Depretis also said that if grades are not compatible with other districts, it could be a problem with college admissions.

She further noted the "disadvantages" of the present system in obtaining scholarships, employment recognition, car insurance rates and incentives that businesses provide for the number of A's on a report card.

Neither the school board nor administrators at the meeting commented on the request. Board President Kevin Fischer did agree to Ms. Crowder's request to allow the Council of PTAs to be involved in the ongoing academic and curriculum reform committee.

First Published: June 28, 2007, 10:45 a.m.