For the past seven years no Seattle high school student has received a failing grade on a report card.

That's because since 2000 E grades, the equivalent of an F, were banished and instead students received an N signifying "no credit." But this year all Seattle Public Schools will be distributing the E grade once again.

The change is primarily logistical to comply with Seattle Public School Board Policy. However the new grade will also hold students more accountable for their performance in classes.

"Principals have been very supportive of this," said David Tucker, a spokesperson for Seattle Public Schools. "We want grades to reflect student's achievements and bring back accountability in the classroom."

In the previous policy, if students earned less than fifty percent in a course or stopped attending class all together they would receive an N grade. The mark would not affect their overall GPA but also would not earn them any credits needed for graduation.

In fact if a student dropped out of half their courses but still earned A's in the rest, they would have a perfect 4.0 GPA. Meanwhile students who completed all their classes but earned lower grades in some classes would have a much lower cumulative GPA.

The new E grade will earn students a 0.0 GPA and like the N grade, earns the student no credits towards their graduation.

Ballard High School Principal Phil Brockman says that often, under the previous policy, if students did not think they would pass a class they would simply stop attending.

He added that the N grade contributed negatively to students' attendance records. Today many courses at Ballard High School include participation in their grading systems.

"We need to be honest with our kids," Brockman said, "If you're not doing well there are consequences and kids need to know that."

In 2000 former Chief Academic Officer June Rimmer banished the E grade to help students meet a new requirement that students earn a cumulative 2.0 GPA to graduate.

The new policy could affect student athletes who are required to earn a 2.0 cumulative GPA to play, as well as college applicants.

But at the University of Washington, Philip Ballinger, director of admissions, says the university has always considered applicants' GPAs in context. He says that the courses students take are just as important as the grades they earn.

While Ballinger says few applicants to the University of Washington have received N grades, the admissions office was aware that Seattle Public Schools former policy could inflate student GPAs.

Very few school districts in the United States use N grades instead of failing marks, and Ballinger says the new policy will put Seattle Public Schools in line with other surrounding districts.

"I think the N grade was pretty idiosyncratic," Ballinger said. "I, for one, am glad to see it go."

The new E grade will be used immediately although Seattle Public Schools does not plan to change past N grades to E's.

Rose Egge may be reached at 932.0300 or rosee@robinsonnews.com