In a move that would make zero a grade of the past, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro school district is considering making 61 the lowest grade for a failing assignment.

The goal would be to assure that a single test-day disaster doesn't ruin a semester. Some teachers, students and parents say the change would coddle failing students.

"The system for years had talked about raising expectations for all children in the district, and I don't feel that demonstrates raised expectations for everybody," said Beth Ann Ghio, whose son is an East Chapel Hill High junior. "I don't think that's fair for children who actually submit the work."

Sherri Martin, the district's director of high school programming, said the revised policy would increase consistency throughout the schools within the district, and ensure that students' grades truly reflect their efforts and understanding.

"There is little or no evidence that repeated failure makes people more responsible," Martin said at the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Board of Education meeting Thursday night. "The threat of a low grade is more likely to motivate high-achieving students than low-achieving students."

At Thursday night's board meeting, several parents asked the board to postpone the idea until the 2009-2010 school year.

Superintendent Neil Pedersen agreed. School board member Jean Hamilton and several colleagues agreed that the board needs to take its time with the policy and get more feedback.