Maple Grove Senior High reports sports success and critiques grading system

The Osseo Public Schools Board meeting on March 18, 2025, featured a range of discussions, primarily focusing on student achievements and concerns regarding the grading system.

Gavin Shabica, a representative from Maple Grove Senior High School, opened the meeting with an enthusiastic report on the school's sports teams. He highlighted the boys basketball team's recent victory over the Apple Valley Eagles, advancing them to the state semifinals. The girls basketball team also celebrated a successful season, finishing as state runners-up. Shabica noted the promising outlook for spring sports, including strong performances anticipated from both boys and girls lacrosse teams, as well as the boys volleyball team in its inaugural season.

In addition to sports, Shabica acknowledged the achievements of various school clubs, including the DECA club, which had nine delegates become state finalists, and the robotics team, which performed well at a recent competition. However, he also took a moment to remember Espar Masait, a student who passed away from cardiac arrest, emphasizing the impact of his loss on the school community.

A significant portion of Shabica's report addressed concerns about the current grading system. He presented findings from a teacher's analysis of learner-focused grading, which indicated that the system disproportionately negatively affected lower-performing students, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds. The data showed that the lowest-performing students experienced nearly nine times the negative impact compared to their higher-performing peers. Shabica urged the school board to reevaluate the grading system to ensure equity and suggested that a comprehensive analysis be conducted, including feedback from parents.

He also raised concerns about the minimal GPA boosts for advanced courses, arguing that the current system discourages students from enrolling in these classes. Shabica compared the district's grading practices unfavorably to those of neighboring districts, which offer more substantial incentives for advanced coursework. He advocated for a grading structure that better reflects academic achievement and encourages students to pursue challenging courses.

The meeting underscored the importance of addressing both student achievements and systemic issues within the educational framework, with calls for immediate action to improve the grading system and support student success.