As a teacher, I am accustomed to changing curriculums, state and federal standards and re-tooling to best meet the needs of our students.

This is what teachers do. In spite of being able to change with the times, I think that the Hall-Dale school system, where two of my kids go, should slow down its implementation of standards-based grading. It is confusing, at best, to students, parents and even teachers.

I have heard about the many issues at the high school and middle school over the past few years, but the elementary school has been a haven, where we are fortunate to have exceptionally dedicated teachers and staff.

This fall, however, the grading system was changed completely, and parents and students are still trying to figure it out. It was implemented with no input from teachers or parents, and before teachers, parents and students had the proper training to deal with a complex new software program, which is still being worked out.

Frankly, I am glad that the school system I work for has not implemented this system, because it continues to create confusion and chaos at Hall-Dale. I hope other school systems are not forced to go through the same chaos that we have had to endure, so I hope the Legislature thinks twice before forcing other schools to go this route.

Hall-Dale is not a good example of standards-based grading for other schools to follow. We need to slow the process down, fix the many kinks and go back to the drawing board. This time, however, we should get input from the community upfront.

Aimee Ellis

Farmingdale