San Francisco scraps 'equity grading' program following backlash

Daily Mail​

29-05-2025

San Francisco's education chief was today forced into a humiliating U-turn on a woke new program to lower pass marks in an effort to promote 'equity.' Superintendent of Schools Maria Su unveiled the new 'Grading for Equity' plan last night that would have seen homework and weekly testing scrapped, with students allowed to pass with scores as low as 41 - down from the current pass mark of 61. But just hours later on Wednesday afternoon, Su released a statement following widespread condemnation from across the political spectrum saying the district would hold off on implementing the move for a year.
She said: 'At the May 27 Board of Education meeting, we presented a proposal for a professional development opportunity in standards-based grading. There was no action taken at the meeting. No changes to grading practices have been adopted by the district or Board of Education. 'We hold every SFUSD student to high standards, and our goal is to support student success by prioritizing learning and mastery. It's clear there are a lot of questions, concerns, and misinformation with this proposal.
'We want to make sure any changes benefit our students. I have decided not to pursue this strategy for next year to ensure we have time to meaningfully engage the community. 'Right now we need to continue to focus on balancing our budget, stabilizing the district, and rebuilding trust.' Ro Khanna, a Democratic congressman for Silicon Valley known for his progressive values, had slammed the move on X, writing: '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.
'Giving A's for 80 percent & no homework is not equity - it betrays the American Dream and every parent who wants more for their kids.' According to The Voice of San Francisco , the plan was set to go into effect later this fall. The outlet reported that the new plan would have essentially eliminated homework and weekly testing from making up a student's final semester grade. A student's grade would be based solely on their final examination, which they can also take multiple times.
Students can also be late in handing in assignments or even fail to appear in class without it having an effect on their overall mark. Current thresholds in place mean a student needs a 90 for an A and at least 61 for a D. The changes mean a score as low as 80 now counts as an A, while a mark of 21 counts as a D. Democrat Garry Tan, a venture capitalist, also blasted the move. He said: 'San Francisco schools is trying its absolute hardest to make sure all middle income families who could move out of the city do so right away.
''Grading for Equity' is going to be a real disaster and I guess this is a boon for SF private schools and Burlingame housing prices. 'For education bureaucrats who ruin our public schools with the most unfair and anti-merit polices: BUSINESS IS BOOMING. 'Someone needs to investigate the Schools of Education that spawn these policies because it is a real danger to public schools everywhere.'
Entrepreneur Chamath Palihapitiya added: 'This is, on its face, absolutely retarded. It's also a disgrace that this comes from the preeminent tech capital of the world. 'This will, however, be very good for housing prices in areas surrounding SF.' According to the outlet, the district had consulted Joe Feldman who had helped implement a similar system in Placer County in 2019. In an article on the School Superintendents Association in 2019, Feldman said: 'The percentage of students receiving D's and F's decreased — and decreased more dramatically for students of color and for students with special needs.
'Grade inflation, as measured by the rate of students receiving A's, decreased, and they dropped more dramatically among more privileged student populations. 'Students' grades didn't just improve; they were more accurate. Improved grading practices significantly decreased the difference between students' grades and their scores on standardized assessments of that content, and the effect was stronger and more likely for students who qualified for free or reduced-price lunch. 'Students and teachers reported less stressful classrooms and stronger teacher-student relationships.' The Voice said that the new system would be modeled on a system used in the San Leandro Unified School District. At that school district, pupils can earn an A with a score of 80 percent and achieve a pass with a D at 21 percent.