DRAFT
PROS AND CONS LIST FOR PLUS MINUS GRADING
DRAFT
ACCJC accepted grading scale (note no C- due to transferability, and no extra grade points for an A+):
A+
4.0
A
4.0
A3.7
B+
3.3
B
3.0
B2.7
C+
2.3
C
2.0
D+
1.3
D
1.0
D0.7
F
0.0
Having reviewed the literature and spoken with all the divisions there are some basic pros and cons.
This is not an all-inclusive list but does capture some of the basic issues for students and faculty. These,
of course, can be discussed at greater length but, in brief, they are:
Pros
Accuracy of grading. Because there are more grade variations possible, grades awarded will
better reflect the grades the students earned and the students’ abilities. B minus student will
earn a B minus and a B + student will earn a B +, rather than both earning Bs, for example.
Local high transfer Community Colleges use plus minus so there might be an advantage in being
consistent with them. (Foothill, DeAnza, Gavilan, San Francisco City college, Marin, Chaffey,
Cuesta, Feather River, Cuyamaca, Grossmont, Redwoods)
Student’s are motivated to achieve the next level of grade. For example, a B minus student has
to exert just a bit more effort to achieve a B and a B student will exert effort to earn a B+.
Student’s will be better prepared for the plus minus grading used at 9 out of 10 UCs and 21 out
of 23 Cal State schools, including CSUMB. This helps as we focus on transfer and transfer
student rates.
Cons
In some disciplines, grade variations of this sort are difficult if not impossible to judge. One can
not accurately judge the difference between a B and B minus student, for example.
Only 11 out of 120 California Community Colleges are using plus minus, this puts MPC in the
minority. There should be a more consistent use of grades across community college campuses.
There will be more opportunity for students to advocate for a grade change “I deserve an A, not
an A minus”, which could increase instructor work load.
Though studies show that overall average GPA for students is not affected by the change to
plus/minus grading, a handful of A students will find they now earn A minuses and this could
make them less competitive when attempting to transfer.
Things work fine as they are, why expose ourselves to the expense and annoyance of changing
the grading scale.