Pass-fail grading policies poor choice for sports

After two months of using a pass-fail grading scale for sport credit classes, including band and cheer, the administration has chosen to revert back to the regular letter-grading policy formally used. Some students may have preferred a pass-fail grading policy, but ultimately the change detracted from the class experience.

Cheer coach Larissa Ridge was discouraged by this fall’s change to a pass/fail policy because of the detailed system that she has perfected for determining her cheerleader’s grades. She is confident that her assignment of grades is accurate and fair. The administration reasoned that the policy should be enacted because a large portion of coaches and instructors who oversee their respective sports do not have formal physical education training. However, grades are not determined on the basis of physical fitness—they are determined on the basis of attendance and quality of time spent working on the sport.

It is fairly common across America for high schools to hire coaches without much training, because the coaches are usually only required to have extensive knowledge of the sport. There are no credentials required to determine if an athlete is committing themselves to their team. Only simple observation and common sense are needed. Since sports grading policies reflect participation and attendance rather than general physical fitness, it is perfectly reasonable for coaches who may or may not have formal physical education training to use a letter grading policy.

As long as a student maintains a 70 percent average in a pass-fail class, he or she will pass the athletic course. By giving all passing students the same grade, this system reduces competition among students for higher grades, an admirable goal with unfortunate consequences.

But by eradicating the threat of a low A or B as a result of tardies and cuts to practices, students don’t feel as compelled to attend practice punctually and regularly. With decreased attendance, team bonding and overall performance decrease.

The fact is that having a pass-fail grading policy for sports resulted in reduced athlete morale. Athletes who regularly attend practice and fully commit themselves would receive the same grade as students who do not attend practices regularly, but received a final grade of a 70 percent or above.

Sports programs benefit by having athletes who are willing to spend the time and effort to make themselves and the team better. This pass-fail system does not allow the dedicated athlete to gain the recognition and praise that he or she deserves.

Athletics shouldn’t be downplayed as a program solely deserving of pass-fail grades. Students involved in athletics spend a substantial amount of time at practices and meets, games or competitions during the sports seasons. The traditional letter grade system accurately represents the amount of time that students spend in their sport.

The administration may have had good intentions by implementing a pass-fail grading policy for sports, but in the end it caused nothing but discontent and discouragement. The current letter grading system for sports shouldn’t be tampered with, since both coaches and athletes have no objections to it.

The policy may have been removed after two months in existence, but could potentially be used in the future. When the time comes to reconsider the question, the administration should stick with a letter grading system for sports.