After a multi-year hiatus, Indiana schools are set to reintroduce the A-F grading system, replacing the current model. This proposal was unanimously approved by the House Education Committee on January 29 and will now be reviewed by the full chamber. The reintroduction of the statewide letter grade system is outlined in House Bill 1498, introduced by Republican Rep. Bob Behning. The bill aims to reinstate much of the previous accountability framework, tasking Indiana’s State Board of Education (SBOE) with creating a new A-F rule that will assess more than just academic performance and graduation rates. If approved, the new grading system will be implemented starting in the 2026-27 academic year.
It is important to note that school grades have been suspended since 2018, when the state shifted from ISTEP to a new standardized test.
Indiana’s Secretary of Education, Katie Jenner, emphasized that the department wants the new grading model to be student-centered. The goal is to broaden the evaluation criteria beyond academic knowledge, incorporating skill development and experiences that align with students' future goals, as reported by the Indiana Capital Chronicle.
Current school grading system in Indiana
The current grading structure in Indiana is divided into two categories: Elementary and Middle Schools (Grades 3-8) and High Schools (Grades 9-12). Elementary and Middle Schools are primarily evaluated based on student performance and growth in math and reading, measured through the ILEARN exam. High Schools, on the other hand, are assessed using SAT scores, graduation rates, and benchmarks related to college and career readiness.
Proposed A-F Grading System
Under the proposed A-F grading policy, the state board plans to include additional metrics, such as IREAD scores, literacy rates, student attendance, and chronic absenteeism in the evaluation of third-grade students. For grades 4-8, the assessment will also consider students’ proficiency in English Language Arts (ELA) and math, attendance data, and the amount of advanced coursework taken.
For high school students (Grades 9-12), the education secretary has suggested incorporating new criteria, such as the attainment of diploma seals and work-based learning credentials, to assess progress alongside the state’s new diploma model.
Current vs. proposed grading system: A comparative analysis
The current grading system in Indiana primarily evaluates elementary and middle schools based on student performance in math and reading through the ILEARN exam, while high schools are assessed using SAT scores, graduation rates, and college readiness benchmarks. In contrast, the proposed A-F grading system introduces additional criteria such as IREAD scores, literacy rates, attendance data, and chronic absenteeism for elementary and middle school students. For high school students, the new system would factor in advanced coursework, diploma seals, and work-based learning credentials, offering a more comprehensive view of student progress beyond academic achievement.
Opposition to the A-F Grading System
While some support the bill, others, like Indianapolis Democrat Rep. Ed DeLaney, have pushed for an alternative model that eliminates the A-F grading system entirely. DeLaney proposes a two-tier rating system: schools that need intervention and schools that do not. He believes the current A-F system is ineffective, arguing that comparing a “B” school to an “A” school provides little meaningful insight, as reported by the Indiana Capital Chronicle.
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