The New Math ...

In an effort to "give struggling children a chance", Pittsburgh schools have instituted an innovative policy that will guarantee no student ever gets an "F":

While some districts use "F" as a failing grade, the city uses an "E."

"The 'E' is to be recorded no lower than a 50 percent, regardless of the actual percent earned. For example, if the student earns a 20 percent on a class assignment, the grade is recorded as a 50 percent," said the memo from Jerri Lippert, the district's executive director of curriculum, instruction and professional development, and Mary VanHorn, a PFT vice president.
...
And she said one teacher she knows already worries about how awkward it will look when a student correctly answers three of 10 questions on a math quiz -- and gets a 50 percent. [emphasis added]

Article here. So in Pittsburgh, three out of ten equals fifty! The New Math, alive and well in Pittsburgh schools.

For some reason, I'm reminded of this classic scene from This is Spinal Tap:



Of course, in Pittsburgh, the dials would start at fifty!

:)