The new grading system has brought controversy to the school district. Many students and parents are wondering, “What’s the point?” If the work students do or do not complete does not affect their grade in a negative manner, why do the work at all? 

For even the most diligent students, motivation to complete their schoolwork is hard to come by. 

What does motivate students to complete their seemingly pointless work?  

Sophomore Alexia Jackson shared her motivation for school work: “I have been the most motivated to do my English school work because [English teacher Lylah] Medina makes the work we have to do so much fun. I’m never bored when I do her classwork and assignments.” 

Without grades as her motivation Jackson has found a passion for her English class and a reason to keep putting in the effort necessary for the class. 

Jackson continued, “What motivates me to complete my other work is that I can get some fresh air and relax once I’m finished. It’s definitely a weight off my shoulders once I have completed all my work and turned it in.” 

Even without grades being negatively affected, students are still eager to please.

Even without a standard grading system, students are still letting their grades be a positive influencer.

Junior Jack Stanley pointed out, “The classes I’m most motivated to do work in are the classes I don’t have A’s in because other than getting my grades up to A’s what’s the point of doing the work?”

Along a similar line of thought, AP student Trevin Dawe elaborated, “I do all of [my classes] because this is a chance for me to get my grades up without the chance of them going down, so I just do the work, and it’ll pay off because there’s no downside.” 

Dawe only sees a positive side to this situation. This is the time for many students to have the opportunity to bring their grades up.

Dawe continued, “My motivation though is basically it gives me something to do, I am bored out of my mind and schoolwork actually gives me something to do other than sitting around and doing nothing for the day.” 

Aside from the grades, many students complete their school work out of boredom or for a sense of normalcy.

For other students, grades still matter.

“I’m most motivated to do my dual enrollment classes,” Senior Sophia Smith explained, “since the policy of grades going down doesn’t apply. Knowledge and interest in the subject are other motivators.” 

Senior Zach Oberan also still uses his grades to motivate him. He is most motivated to do work for “my English class because it is my lowest grade. Good grades for colleges and to graduate are my biggest factors.”

As seniors come closer to graduation and their imminent future, their focus on grades during their last quarter of high school comes as no surprise. 

Even for freshmen, grades are equally as important.

“I am most motivated to do my science work” freshman Kayt Johanson divulged, “because it’s the lowest grade I have and knowing I can help raise it without hurting it motivates me to keep working.”

Although further from her completion of high school, Johanson is equally dedicated to her grades and a promising future. 

She continued, “Some things that help me complete the rest of my work are my parents who push me to do the best I can and the unique opportunity we have to do the work without suffering any negative repercussions.” 

Highlighting again on the prominent fact that students can suffer no negative consequences from completing their work, Johanson seems to be in a common line of thought. 

Many students see the unique opportunity of this grading system. They are eager for the chance to improve their grades without the risk of hurting them.

While there is much controversy over this unusual grading system, the students bring up a good point. While some lack the motivation to finish out their year, many students see this as an opportunity. This time has made boosting grades up a letter grade an easily achievable feat for many.