Advertisement Records show OPS knew about potential grading problems Teachers voiced concerns over grade inflation in 2010 Share Shares Copy Link Copy

The school board president of Omaha Public Schools said issues over graduation rates and grades need to be solved immediately.Video: School board president speaks out on grade inflation"We have to be able to make sure that our grading is fair and accurate and reflects what students learn," Justin Wayne said.But new documents obtained show the Omaha Public Schools grading committee voiced concerns about grade inflation four years ago.In the documents, an unnamed employee raised concerns on Oct. 20, 2010:"(There is a) problem with the grading scale at the lower end causing grade inflation, which makes it possible for students with only small amounts of evidence to have averages that land in the D range. In other words, students may be passing with a D even though there is not enough evidence to indicate that the student has an acceptable depth of knowledge to pursue the next level."Now Wayne wants answers."We may have to have an outside investigation look into this. We have to make sure the kids walk across stage ready for the next level... they have the skills that are needed to be competitive in tomorrow's society," he said.Wayne said he will allow staff to handle the issue and if not will turn to board members."There is a committee that is supposed to meet on this, and it was already scheduled to meet and they added this to their agenda since (the KETV 7) story broke," Wayne said. "If we made mistakes, we have to own up to it. But if those mistakes were not corrected, that's a serious problem."The OPS grading committee meets Tuesday behind closed doors.