SNUX.

How students should be evaluated came under scrutiny during the 1950s. As curricula and teaching methods changed, so did the traditional method of grading: As, Bs, Cs, and so on. The newest fad in grading became known as SNUX, or Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory. The change affected all grade levels and brought about a revolt by the parents who grew up with the traditional method.

Comparing Students.

Parents and critics of the new system contended that a former "C" student would be considered "Satisfactory," undistinguished from the former "A" student. Some educators feared a drop in the natural competition between students which fosters learning. In addition, the new system also increased the amount of work for teachers who had to rate a student's ability in science and math as well as evaluating him or her in such new categories as "Ability to communicate" and "Ability to not spread disease." Critics were...