Beginning this school year, an “A” in Eunice is based on the same classroom average as an “A” in Farmerville, and all points in between.

Under dictate of the Legislature all public school systems will use the same averages in their grading scale.

The universal grading scale is a major change in the St. Landry Pupil Progression Plan for the school year that begins Monday.

It was adopted by BESE under provisions of Act 701 of the Legislature.

After hearing repeated complaints about inconsistent grading, a majority of the Legislature decreed that grading standards should not vary from system to system, parish to parish.

Consequently, the St. Landry grading scale is changing.

A course average of 93 to 100 in a six-weeks grading period will earn an A. Last year, the scale was 92 to 100. So, an A is just a little tougher to get.

In years past, an A reflected an average of 94-100 in some systems, 90-100 in others, 95-100 in some and 96-100 in still others.

Since such things as TOPS money is awarded on the basis of grade-point average, parents in more-stringent grading systems said their kids were being unfairly penalized.

This year a B will reflect an average of 85 to 92. That minimum is two points higher in St. Landry than last year, when the scale was 83 to 91.

As for a C, the new percentage range for that letter score is 75-84, compared to 75-82 previously.

And a new D is 67-74, which is no change from the previous percentage range. That is also true for an F, which reflects an average of 66 or below.

In years past, some systems treated 60 or below as failing, others 70 or below.

For courses that are called non-letter graded course, a S for Satisfactory reflects a percentage range of 75 to 100.

N is used to show the achievement level needs improvement. “U” is no longer used.

Editor Jim Butler can be reached at jim.butler@eunicetoday.com.