Number Grades

Re “LAUSD Switches From Letter to Number Grades,” Oct. 6.

My chagrin with the Los Angeles Unified School District’s new grading system really came to light when my fifth-grade son, at Balboa Magnet, came home with a grade of 3 on a spelling test. He had misspelled four words out of a possible 31. His grade of 3 was the same as that of his desk mate, who had misspelled nine words. There is little incentive for him to study so hard next time.

Geri Herrera was quoted as saying this new system is “much more precise.” I don’t think so. My son was one word away from a grade of 4; his desk mate was one word away from a 2. If anything, the standard is too broad. Why can’t we simply apply the new mandated standards to the traditional letter grade system?

ALLISON SPIRE

Van Nuys