Anna Nicks
9-3-13 7:35 pm
OWENSVILLE, MO-What is the incentive to take advanced courses? If a school offers the classes as “weighted,” then it is possible to raise a grade point average (GPA). How is this possible? A weighted class has a higher grade point worth than a not-weighted class. For example, if a school is using a four-point grading average, four is an A; three is a B, etc. In that school setting, a weighted class might be worth a five point worth instead of a four. This means that if a student had a 3.85 GPA, and they took a weighted class in which they received an A, and thus the five point worth, their grade point average would raise significantly more than if a student only received a four point worth. On the example, a B is still worth the same amount as a normal A would.
The reason that some schools choose
to weight their classes is that it offers incentive for taking advanced
courses. Typically, advanced placement
(AP) classes are harder, and it may be more difficult for a student to earn an
A in that class. They may end up with a
B or lower causing their GPA to drop, which would not have happened, had they
taken an easier course. Because of that,
they may not be as willing to take AP classes in the future. Weighted classes eliminate that problem and
reward students for challenging themselves.
Some people have a concern with
weighted classes. They feel that they
place too much worth on some classes, and say that some classes are more
important than others. Some also believe
that weighted grades cause students to take classes for the sake of the GPA, not
because of their interests. However,
there are many good things about weighted classes. They reward students for taking challenging
courses. Weighted classes are fairer in
the long run. Weighted classes are a
good idea and should be implemented in all schools.
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