Arguments for including gym grades in GPA:
* Holistic Education: A well-rounded education encompasses physical health as well as academic achievement. Including gym emphasizes the importance of physical fitness and well-being.
* Incentivize Participation and Effort: Including gym in GPA might encourage students to take the class more seriously and participate actively. This could lead to improved fitness levels and healthier habits.
* Consistency: Treating all classes equally in GPA calculations provides a consistent and straightforward system.
Arguments against including gym grades in GPA:
* Different Skill Sets: Gym class assesses different skills and abilities than academic subjects. Including it in GPA might unfairly penalize students who are not athletically inclined.
* Focus on Academics: GPA is primarily intended to reflect academic performance. Including gym dilutes the meaning of GPA as a measure of academic achievement.
* Resource Allocation: Schools might allocate more resources to gym classes if their grades affect GPA, potentially diverting resources from core academic subjects.
* Potential for Bias: Grading in gym can be subjective and may be influenced by factors other than effort or skill.
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to include gym grades in GPA is a policy choice that depends on a school's educational philosophy and priorities. There's no universally right answer. Many schools choose not to include it, focusing GPA on academic subjects.