NOT GREAT EXPECTATIONS? CCS teachers concerned about impact of ‘no zeros’ grading practice, test retakes

In the past several years, Carmel Clay Schools has made several changes to its grading practices, including increased test retakes and using 50 percent – rather than 0 percent – as a minimum score in middle schools, even for uncompleted work.

And many teachers are not fans.

That’s according to a survey issued in March by the Carmel Teachers’ Association, the union representing CCS educators. CTA had been considering a survey on the topic for six to eight months before it initiated one, according to CTA President Mark Wien. CTA shared the results with its 841 members – representing nearly 80 percent of CCS teachers – April 30.

Of the 275 respondents, 28.4 percent are elementary school teachers, 38.2 percent are middle school teachers and 33.5 percent are high school teachers. The grading