For half of Beaufort schools, lowest grade is 60

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (AP) — About half of Beaufort County schools have a new policy where the lowest grade a student can get is a 60.

The Island Packet of Hilton Head reports (http://bit.ly/HSX4gy ) the so-called “grade floors” are a way to motivate students.

Educators say it helps prevent poorer students from giving up on their studies. Educators say it’s easier for a student to raise a grade from a 60, but if they have a lower average, they may give up.

District officials say there is no district-wide policy on grades.

Earlier this year, Beaufort High School principal Dan Durbin resigned after changing grades for 33 struggling students. After that incident, the district told principals in schools with grade-floor policies to put them in writing and make sure parents know about them.

___

Information from: The Island Packet, http://www.islandpacket.com