Remember the grand promises of Proficiency Based Learning, the new grading system of 4,3,2,1, the statements that students will earn a grade of at least 3 (proficient) in order to meet the standards and pass a course?

Remember the millions spend on training, materials, literacy and math specialists, teacher coaches, workshops, new computer programs, ever-growing school budgets, Star Academy, tutoring during and after school, during vacations and summer school to make sure students did earn grades of 3 to meet this state mandate?

At the last Lewiston School Committee meeting they had the first reading of a new grading system for the coming year. Grades K-9 will stay on the 4,3,2,1 system, requiring 3’s to pass. But, grades 7 and 8 will only require 3’s in 70 percent of the content standards and allow 2’s (not yet proficient) in 30 percent of the standards.

In grade 9 students must earn 3’s in 85 percent of the standards in core courses and allow 2’s in 15 percent of the standards. In grades 10-12 and all electives at LHS, the old grading system of 0-100 —with 70 and above passing —will be used.

No more PBL, we now have APBL: Almost Proficiency Based Learning.

Parents, students and taxpayers have been sold a pie in the sky education theory that is failing in many ways. An expensive new computer grading program called Empower based on PBL should not be implemented.

The final vote on this new grading system will be at the August school committee meeting.

Crystal Ward, Lewiston