School district ends worst grade policy and now allows students to get a zero

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS/Gray News) – A South Carolina school district is eliminating its minimum grading policy and now allows students to receive a zero.

Previously, the Sumter County School District had a grading policy where the lowest score a student could receive was 50%.

However, on August 12, the school board voted 5-3 to repeal this policy, meaning that students will learn their actual grade at the end of the first quarter, even if it is below 50%.

Ralph Canty, chairman of the Sumter County School Board, said he voted to repeal the policy because he believed it allowed some students to take advantage of the system without putting in any effort in class.

“What scares me about this policy is that it suggests you don't have to do your best,” Canty said.

Canty said the repeal of the directive would take effect immediately because the vote was now final.

“Education should not be a second chance, but rather a privilege,” Canty said. “I believe that every student must be involved in the educational process.”

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