Although both the University of California and the California State University systems have the option to use plus or minus grades in student evaluations, the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges (CCC) does not allow the use of such a grading system. Since 1985, the CCC's Academic Senate has lobbied the Board to allow local governing boards to decide whether plus and minus signs can be used, and whether they would appear on student transcripts and figure into grade point averages (GPAs). The primary motivation for using plus/minus grading is the ethical obligation to ensure consistent, fair, and accurate evaluations of student performance. In addition, it would enhance efforts to be accountable to student needs and would improve equity in grading. Under the current system, student achievement can differ by nearly 25% and still result in the same grade and grade value for GPAs. Implementation of a plus/minus system would have positive effects on student motivation, as well as on student retention, persistence, and success, due to the fact that it would provide more accurate information on student performance and help inform efforts to improve curricula and pedagogy. Finally, the proposed system does not include a "C-" grade, and thus would not affect financial aid qualification, students' ability to transfer, or systemwide GPA. (TGI)