How Come You Never Got an "E" in School?

Not sure if it still applies, but at one time at the University of Florida a failing grade was indicated by the letter E, rather than the letter F.

I don't know if that was true at all state universities, nor do I know if that was true for grades K through 12. But it was (and may still be) true at the U of F.

The grade of "E" stands for "exempt", which is the double-secret passing grade given only to those individuals whom the school wishes to pass through the system with a wink and a nod. Such as star athletes, the children of prominent donors, family friends, etc.

I know it's true because I read it in an e-mailed copy of a mysteriously-deleted Internet posting by an anonymous top ex-CIA agent who denied being a member of the Illuminati (which of course meant he or she really is!)

You weren't supposed to tell anyone about that E mail!! It was only sent to a select few hundred million people or so. Now we have to break your computer keyboard's legs!

Naw, they just wanted the difference between a D and the next grade down to be a quantum leap.

Grades 1 through 6 in a parochial school in southern Indiana USA, we received letter grades of "E" for excellent, "S" for satisfactory, "I" for incomplete, and "F" for failure. I seem to remember number codes along with these that further described the teacher's opinions. (as well as wooden paddles with several holes to reduce wind resistance)

The grading system changed about the 7th and 8th grade around 1969.

Back in the 60's the Chicago schools would grade using E, G, F, and U, corresponding to Excellent, Good, Fair, and Unsatisfactory.

I once had a teacher that claimed his grading was;

A = Awful

B = Bad

C= Crummy

D= Dandy

F= Fine

I received an "E" as a failing grade in English one year. I don't recall if it was in 6th or 8th grade.

For some reason doing well on in-class assignments didn't compensate enough for not doing my homework.

Believe it or not, the schools my kids go to use "E" for the lowest grade. I was told that the "F" was too damaging to their self-esteem because it was associated with failure. The "E" is less damaging. My kids like to tell me that "E" is for EXCELLENT. We're doomed.