Random Thoughts on How Many Students Should Pass a Class

As the Superintendent, I can access information that shows me how many students passed each class that was taught at the high school.  

During the first trimester at Grand Ledge High School, we offered 173 courses.  The chart below identifies passing rate ranges and how many courses were in that range.  For example, in the 100% range - where 100% of the students who took the course passed - there were 87 courses.  In 87 courses offered last trimester at Grand Ledge High School 100% of the students enrolled passed.  There were 53 courses offered in the 1st trimester of the 2009-2010 school year at Grand Ledge High School where 90-99% of the students who took the course passed.  

	Number	Percent
100% of Enrolled Students Passed	87	50.3%
90-99% of Enrolled Students Passed	53	30.6%
80-89% of Enrolled Students Passed	23	13.3%
70-79% of Enrolled Students Passed	7	4.0%
60-69% of Enrolled Students Passed	2	1.2%
50-59% of Enrolled Students Passed	1	0.6%
Below 50% of Enrolled Students Passed	0	0.0%
		100.0%

What am I to think of this information?  Is what I see good or bad?  Does this kind of information help me get a better sense of how we are doing or does it give a distorted and incomplete picture?


Part of me says that this kind of information is helpful.  When students fail it is a problem.  I want students to pass.  I want teachers to be aware of students who are struggling and offer assistance.  If a student is failing a course I want the district and the school to take notice and try to find a way to help that student succeed.


But I don't want us to think that passing a class is the goal.  Learning the material, understanding the content - that is the goal.  I do not want teachers to think that they should "give" a student a grade just to pass them.  Students need to earn their grade.  If students don't do their work or if students don't turn in assignments or if students do not do well on tests, then they should not pass the class.  The goal is not 100% passing.  The goal is 100% learning.


Everyone of us connected to learning in the district should focus our effort on helping every student learn.