The San Francisco Unified School District delayed its plans to adopt “equity” grading at 14 schools after national, bipartisan backlash over the proposal to eliminate grading for attendance, punctuality, homework and quizzes, and grade only on a final exam that can be taken multiple times.
The new scheme, promoted unilaterally by Superintendent Maria Su without vote from the Board of Education, would have awarded an “A” grade for 80%, with a passing “C” grade at 41%.
U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna, an Indian immigrant who represents the East Bay and is a prominent Democrat serving as ranking member on the House Armed Services Subcommittee for Cybersecurity, Innovation Technology, and Information Systems, decried the plan as a betrayal of the American dream.
“My immigrant dad asked me where the missing 10% went when I scored a 90. He came to America for the chance to work hard & pursue excellence,” said Khanna on X. “Giving A’s for 80% & no homework is not equity — it betrays the American Dream and every parent who wants more for their kids.”
U.S. Rep. Kevin Kiley, one of the more vocal members of California’s Republican congressional delegation, further suggested that the grading scheme would have further obfuscated the declining state of education in San Francisco’s public schools.
“San Francisco has come up with a brilliant solution for its failing schools. Students simply won’t be failed,” said Kiley on X. “Under the new “Grading for Equity” plan, Fs are now Cs; Bs are now As; homework and tests are ungraded; truancy is unpunished; and finals can be re-taken again and again.”
Shortly after San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie came out in opposition to the plan, Su issued a statement announcing she would not move forward with the proposal the coming school year, citing “concerns” and “misinformation.”
“It’s clear there are a lot of questions, concerns, and misinformation with this proposal,” said Su. “I have decided not to pursue this strategy for next year to ensure we have time to meaningfully engage the community.”
