Grading changes

Also Tuesday, the board spent more than an hour discussing possible grading policy changes, including a new report card format.

School administrators and a work group of parents and county PTA representatives have spent more than a year reviewing the grading practices, and school officials are hoping to approve any changes by spring.

Tuesday's discussion focused primarily on how attendance should be used in determining grades.

High school students can lose credit for a course if they have five or more unexcused absences.

Attendance is important, argued Brian Stelter, a senior at Damascus High School and a work group member, saying there are many things students can learn in class that they cannot find in a book. But if students miss too many classes, he said, they know they will lose the credit and give up on the class.

The board is expected to take final action in January. The policy and the workgroup's recommendations can be found on the school system's Web site at www.mcps.k12.md.us.

Also, changes to the policy that regulates private contributions for school facility improvements failed on a technicality Tuesday. The vote was 4-2 in favor; five votes are needed for approval.

The policy will be reconsidered at the board's Dec. 10 meeting.