Bill in South Carolina Legislature Aims to Reform Controversial Grading Practices
COLUMBIA, SC — A bill in the South Carolina State House is drawing attention for aiming to stop school districts from forcing teachers to give students minimum grades—even when no work is submitted.
The legislation, introduced by Rep. Fawn Pedalino (R–Clarendon), would bar districts from implementing so-called “grade floors,” where teachers are required to assign scores like 50 or 60 instead of zeros. In some parts of the state, this policy has been used to help students stay on track for graduation, but critics argue it undermines accountability.
Supporters Say the Bill Prioritizes Accuracy and Accountability
The bill would strip funding from districts that continue to require minimum grades, even when students fail to submit assignments.
Education advocate Patrick Kelly of the Palmetto State Teachers Association said the legislation aims to restore integrity to classroom grading:
“What the bill is getting at is this root idea of ensuring that grades are an accurate reflection of student mastery of content,” Kelly told WCBD.
Supporters argue that requiring minimum grades promotes bad habits. “I hear a lot of frustration from teachers,” Kelly added. “They still have to assign a minimum grade—even when nothing is turned in—and that’s not teaching work ethic or integrity.”
Lawmakers Hope Reform Will Help Struggling Schools and Students
Rep. Pedalino believes the legislation will motivate students to work harder and give districts a better understanding of which areas need improvement.
“Fixing this is going to help us gauge what we need to fix within our school districts,” she said. “It’s going to push [students] to do the work.”
Pedalino and her allies say that the grading change could ultimately improve both college readiness and workforce performance.
Critics Urge Broader Reform Beyond the Bill
While many educators support the bill’s intent, some warn it may not go far enough. They argue that comprehensive changes to grading policies across the state are needed to truly support student achievement. Without broader reforms, some worry the new policy could create confusion or uneven implementation across districts.
What Happens Next
The bill has been introduced but has not yet passed committee. Lawmakers are expected to debate the measure further in the coming weeks. If passed, it could lead to major changes in how schools across South Carolina evaluate student performance.
Do you think minimum grade policies help or hurt student success? Share your opinion in the comments on SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
