Lately there has been discussion among school officials about changing the grading scale used by Powhatan County schools. The change would most likely involve lowering the threshold for an A, currently a 95 in Powhatan but lower in some surrounding localities, and for each subsequent grade all the way back through the scale.

The change is supported by some parents, who feel as though having a higher grading scale is putting some children at a disadvantage in comparison with other area students.

This is no doubt a tough call and will require every bit of research the school administration has pledged to devote to it. But my first reaction — and this is coming from a person whose grades in school were never stellar — is to say that they should not change the grading scale at all.

I understand the argument that it puts the students in Powhatan schools at a disadvantage. But I also think that theory needs to be examined further.

I am assuming (and, yes, I know all about what happens when you assume, thank you) that the grading scales must have some theoretical basis. They weren’t handed down from on high. I propose that we look at the scale as a tool for measuring our students and adjust it based on what is reasonable and prudent and not what helps a Powhatan student get ahead of a Cumberland student in the college admissions line.

I also can’t help but wonder, even at the risk of oversimplifying, why don’t other areas ask their students to live up to a higher standard? I have always thought it to be the case that people, especially students, are capable of rising to the occasion when they are asked.

As to the argument that it isn’t fair to have a higher grading scale, I don’t think that holds much water either. Maybe it isn’t fair to ask more of Powhatan students. But lots of things are not fair. What about schools that have certain classes, sports or programs that other schools do not have? If there are benefits to asking our students to try just a little harder than other counties ask their students to, I’d have to say go on and let it not be fair.

The ability to push themselves will be far more useful in current students’ college careers than knowing they got an A that was actually a B last year.

If the administration can point to a reason why the scale we have does not serve our kids, why they are not capable of meeting the high standards the county has set, I would eagerly support the change.

But to base the argument strictly on what goes on in other places would not only be imprudent, it would be against the best interests of our students.