In Theory:

What could become policy is a once-a-semester “Jubilee” for test grades, without any price attached.

In the Bible, a Jubilee is a year of freedom, proclaimed every seven years (or every 49 years). In the year of Jubilee, slaves were set free, debts were forgiven, and the land was allowed to lie fallow for a season (Leviticus 25). The Jubilee was basically a “do-over,” a re-boot of the system of obligation and burden, when it became too crushing. It mimicked God’s grace, granted for no reason other than to let us breathe again, and give us a better chance in life.

I agree with Principal Shepherd that it’s wrong for one bad test, on one bad day, to ruin a semester’s worth of hard work. But instead of making students “‘pay for it’” further, declare a Jubilee, as some teachers do already. Throw out one test grade; or grant a gift of 10 points on one test, one time — just because. They’re decent kids; give them a little grace.

And please, please: Stop selling us chocolate.

Rector of St. George’s Episcopal Church in La Cañada

Apparently, this fundraising controversy was resolved shortly after it started. When the school district learned about the program, it immediately stopped the program and directed that all donations be returned. To me, that is the right result.

What is surprising is that this program was actually developed by a parents’ advisory group and was approved by the school’s principal. The principal’s rationale for her action was that changes in two test grades would not have a material impact on a student’s final grades. Presumably, the goal of this program was to increase fundraising revenues. But at what costs?

Schools should teach children correct principles. Selling grades does not do this, even if the fundraising is for a good cause. In fact, if the principal’s rationale for approving the program is correct, then the children were being motivated by a false premise — that the donations would have a positive effect on their final grades.

More concerning is the fact that parents developed this program.