Earlier today, we told you about San Francisco’s plan to scrap actual grading and replace it with what they labeled ‘grading equity’. It was a mess. After roundly being mocked by both sides of the aisle, the silly little creatures in San Fran have walked back that terrible idea.
San Francisco scraps ‘equity grading’ program — in which homework and attendance wouldn’t affect grades — one day after unveiling it amid bipartisan backlash https://t.co/U2nIghq2Bk pic.twitter.com/U4lzP3uS6V
— New York Post (@nypost) May 29, 2025
San Francisco school officials took a sudden U-turn Wednesday on an initiative that would have effectively let students skip homework, cut class, and re-take their exams.
Parents and politicians alike – including SF Mayor Daniel Lurie – trashed the experimental “Grading for Equity” initiative as soon as the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) unveiled it on Tuesday.
Things like class attendance and homework wouldn’t have affected a student’s final grade under the new system — instead, grades would have been left up to a final exam, which students would be allowed to redo, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. “Grading for Equity” would have also lowered the point threshold for letter grades.
Under a similar system at the nearby San Leandro Unified School District – which SFUSD officials have praised – students need a score of just 80% to get an A, and a score of 41% earns them a C, according to The Voice of San Francisco.
The purpose of the alternative grading approach was to minimize the impact of challenges that disproportionately affect low-income students, such as traveling to school and finding time and space to do homework.
But critics on both sides of the political spectrum said “Grading for Equity” was not the answer.
“My immigrant dad asked me where the missing 10% went when I scored a 90. He came to America for the chance to work hard & pursue excellence,” Rep. Ro Khanna, a Democrat, posted on X. “Giving A’s for 80% & no homework is not equity—it betrays the American Dream and every parent who wants more for their kids,” he continued.
That may be the fastest walk back ever.
Public school is a joke anyway
— Noah (@noahdesilentio) May 29, 2025
This is why school choice is a must.
Incredible, will this affect children in any way?
— Eddy (@EddyMetaX) May 29, 2025
Hopefully, it is to their benefit.
Not shocking, discipline remains crucial for genuine academic success.
— Tatum Gridcore (@grid_c0re) May 29, 2025
At the end of the day, kids are kids and nothing changes.
Democrats, there’s another, “Here’s your sign!”
— Cha Cha Cha! (@vinceriehl) May 29, 2025
The opportunities are endless with Democrats.
Unbelievably stupid even for San Francisco
— PugofDoom (@ComixGalore) May 29, 2025
Just when you think they cannot sink any lower, they find new ways.
delayed but I have no doubt they want to bring this back. SF won’t rest until the poorest town in Mississippi has better literacy and math scores than the former Golden city.
— Loren (@SDCLoren) May 28, 2025
Mississippi is actually doing something to address the problem. San Francisco is burying their heads in the sand. That’s the difference between the two.