A Case AnalysisGrade Distribution for four pre-calc. classes at Panther Creek High School 2012

Curves of Grade Distribution of four Pre-Calc Classes at Panther Creek High School 2012

OverOObObe

0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 5.50

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

Distirbution of Grades by ClassClass 1 Class 2 Class 3 Class 4

Grades (KEY: 1=A, 2=B, 3=C, 4=D, 5=F)

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Gra

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We asked for the data because we heard:• That assessment grades in some classes

were being curved by teachers throughout the semester and in one class they were not.

• In one class some students for who it was mathematically impossible to get an “A” at the end of the semester still got one. (That is a teacher pushed some B’s up to A’s).

These curves represent the distribution of final course grades for four Pre-calc. classes at PCHS this year, with approx. 25-30 students in each class

Some observations:• The curve for Class 3 is peculiar as for some

reason the number B’s are out of the expected bell curve pattern, but the number of A’s for that class is 2-9 times greater than the other classes. Almost suggesting some B’s were shifted to A’s. Otherwise Class 3’s curve would peak on the B grade similar to Classes 1 & 2, with only Class 4 peaking at a grade of D.

• The curve of Class 4 peaks at a D grade, two grades lower than Classes 1, 2 & 3.Question:

• Is what what we heard true?

Comparison of Number Letter Grades Per Class four Pre-Calc. Classes at Panther Creek High School 2012

Class 1

Class 2

Class 3

Class 4

1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15Class 1 Class 2 Class 3 Class 4

A 1 2 9 4

B 14 11 5 7

C 4 9 8 9

D 2 5 3 11

F 3 2 2 1

1

2

9

4

14

11

5

7

4

9

8

9

2

5

3

11

3

2

2

1

Distribution of Grades by ClassF D C B A

Observations:• Almost twice as many students got

A&B's in Class #1 versus Class #4. 

• 2/3 thirds of Class #1 received A&B's and only 1/3 of Class #4 received A&B's

• Class #4 received almost twice as many D&F's as the other classes. 

• There were more "D's" given in Class #4 than all the other classes combined. 

Reasonable Assumptions:• The students for each class were

randomly selected during the class scheduling process.

• The significant difference between the classes was limited to the teacher and their practices.Questions:

• Why are there such a differences between the classes? – quality of instruction, assessments, grade curving etc.

• Was your student or will you student be affected by this situation? – A difference in two letter grades on a transcript is huge.

• If this is happening in classes were the assessments are as objective as math, what is happening in the more subjective classes?

Sources Data provided by PCHS administration Charts and associated text developed by Brett Cox Would like to thank PCHS administration for graciously providing this

information as it provides insight for rational conversations for all of us to co-operatively understand and contribute to our public educational system.