Baldwin-Whitehall students returned to a new grading policy this year, a change that Superintendent Lawrence Korchnak said "puts our kids on a level playing field."

The new policy sets 90-100 as an A; 80-89, B; 70-79, C; 60-69, D; and 59 and below, F.

The 10-point scale, adopted by the school board last week, replaces one adopted in the late 1980s, which established 93-100 as an A; 83-92, B; 70-82, C; and 60-69, D.

Dr. Korchnak said the 10-point scale is used by a majority of school districts.

Two years ago, the district's PTA requested the change. Parents said that it was a fairer system that would improve students' chances for college admission and scholarships.

"I feel great about it," said Nancy Crowder, president of the PTA council that represents all five of the district's schools. "It really needed to be changed."

An 11-member committee, made up of administrators, school board members and residents, recommended the change. A larger committee, however, had rejected the change in April.

Last week, school directors unanimously approved the change, which will include listing percentages on report cards for students in grades six through 12 with a scale identifying the appropriate letter grade.

Instead of letter grades, students in grades one through five will receive progress descriptors such as advanced, proficient, satisfactory or failing.

In high school, grades in honors and advanced placement courses will be given higher percentage values.

For graduating seniors, the school district will provide colleges and universities with an explanation of the grading scale changes on transcripts.

"The rigors and academic challenge of courses will still be there," assured Dr. Korchnak, who noted that teachers have been required to prepare new syllabi explaining the educational objectives and skills to be achieved.

Grading will reflect 90 percent objective assessment based on tests, quizzes and projects and 10 percent informal assessment based on homework, class participation and extra credit.

"It will give parents better assessment of their children's academic progress," board President Kevin Fischer said.