Silver Spring, MD (10/10/08)-- School system leaders are assembling a taskforce to review the county’s loss of credit rule, a practice by which high school students receive failing grades for not attending class.

According to Montgomery County Public Schools regulation JEA-RA, “When a student has missed five or more sessions of one class during a semester due to [unexcused] absences, a loss of credit (LC) and failing grade (E2) will be given for all marking periods within that semester. Three unexcused tardies will equal one [unexcused] absence.”

“This policy was put into place to encourage or force students to be available for instruction,” says Board of Education member Judy Docca. “The belief is that we have teachers to help students to increase their knowledge base. If students are not present, that knowledge is incompletely mastered.”

“I’m really torn about it,” says senior Ethan Soodak. “I do feel people really should work hard to come to class…but the whole point of the class is to learn the information, so if you can learn everything without coming, then you really don’t need to be there.”

On the other hand, junior Ashley Haymaker views the policy as keeping justice. “I agree with it,” says Haymaker. “If you’re not in your class, it’s unfair for the people who are in class…even if they don’t want to be there.”

The committee is comprised of people from a variety of backgrounds, including principals, teachers, parents, high school students and staff from the school system’s central office. Although the team was scheduled to begin meeting in September, only one student has applied so far. An MCPS administrator suggested that there would be greater student participation if fewer of the taskforce’s sessions were held during school hours.

When the taskforce completes its months-long examination, it could issue nonbinding recommendations to keep, revise or eliminate the LC regulation. Board of Education member Sharon Cox says, “I think [Dr. Weast’s] staff needs to take a close look at whether or not the [LC rule] is serving its intended purpose or whether it is an archaic remnant of a culture that believed in punishing students rather than motivating them.” She adds, “If I had to guess, I’d pick the latter.”

Senior Claire Murphy agrees that there needs to be a focus on motivation, and expressed concern that MCPS decision makers are “looking at it as if the only reason students skip is because they want to rebel, but [MCPS administrators] have to look at the reasoning behind that.” Murphy identified peer influence, disengaged parents and problems at home as possible reasons for cutting class, not just a desire for rebellion. “They’re looking at it completely the wrong way. It’s not that simple with teenagers.”