CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – A change to the state’s grading scale could give Tennessee students an edge for college admissions and scholarships, and it’s in legislation backed by Rep. Jason Hodges, D-Clarksville.
The bill working its way through the state legislature would require schools to switch from the current 7-point grading scale to the more widely used 10-point scale.
Hodges discussed his bill during a recent interview on Clarksville’s Conversation with Katie Gambill, Charlie Koon and Chris Smith. Hodges also discussed entering his second term as a legislator, medical marijuana and other upcoming legislation.
7-point scale holding students back
According to Hodges, the current grading scale puts Tennessee students at a disadvantage.
“Anybody that has a child in the school system in Tennessee knows our grading scale is really odd,” said Hodges. “The problem with that is that as these children apply for scholarships out of state, or just apply for admission out of state – they may have performed better in school here, yet a child in any of the states around us that have a 10-point grading scale are gonna have a better GPA, a better opportunity of getting a scholarship, a better opportunity at admission.”
The state of Tennessee adopted a statewide grading scale in 2004 with the founding of the HOPE scholarship, which demanded a more uniform grading system; however, a majority of universities employ a 10-point grading scale, as do many school systems in other states.
What’s more, many universities when considering admissions have shifted focus to GPA over standardized test scores.
“I think they thought it would increase standards, but I think we know that isn’t going to do it. An A is always going to be an A no matter how you scale it. I think there was maybe some flawed logic there,” said Hodges.
Currently, Tennessee students may request to have their transcript GPA calculated based on a 10-point grading scale, though the 7-point scale remains the default.
This can cause Tennessee students to finish school with a lower GPA than out of state students with the same scores.
Hodges’ bill would also allow current students’ GPA to be retroactively changed to reflect the new grading scale.
The bill passed through the General Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee in June 2020 and has received the approval of the Education Committee; however, it was temporarily sidelined due to COVID-19.
Hodges remains confident that, as the legislature begins to return to normal business, his bill will remain on track to pass.
“The good thing is, all the actors involved seem very comfortable with going to that 10-point grading scale. They all seem on board,” he said.