New grading policy aims to improve grades

After reviewing semester one grades, the district approved a new grading policy to provide students with opportunities to earn the highest grade possible at the board meeting last Tuesday. The policy will be in effect for the entire 2020-21 school year. 

The grading scale was changed to convert D and F grades to Credit. Students receiving Credit or petitioning for an Incomplete will be supported through enrichment programs to address missed learning, and the grade will not be counted in determining grade point average. Depending on the teacher, participation and work completed during second semester can also improve a student’s first semester grade. 

“The district really wants to give students the opportunity to be successful and recognize that the pandemic has affected every single one of us—some more than others,” Assistant Superintendent Janet Lees said. “We don’t want anything to get in the way of students reaching their goals. We don’t want students to give up and feel like there is no hope for them to do well because there is.”

Eighty staff members throughout the district were surveyed on the grading resolution, and several were featured at the board meeting to share their perspectives. Among those speakers was Elizabeth Pando, the school’s English and Sheltered English Instruction teacher, who agreed with the resolution.  

“It’s important that we understand that the primary needs of a student, such as physiological and health needs, are met in order for us to expect students to be motivated to learn,” Pando said. “To penalize a student that was unable to physically or mentally attend school is not fair [as] this pandemic destroyed so many aspects of our lives. We have all done our best to survive this situation, and we shouldn’t have to make up several classes to continue towards our future plans.” 

As the school’s first semester D and F rates spiked from 11.5% in the 2019-20 school year to 17.9% in the 2020-21 school year, students have expressed difficulties with maintaining their grades due to the transition to distance learning and personal struggles. 

“I’ve been having trouble paying attention and learning through distance learning,” sophomore Andy Du said. “I get that this policy is unfair for students who have still worked hard despite this year’s circumstances, but it’d be even more unfair to fail students who faced problems out of their hands. Our grades should not be prioritized over our emotional health.”

Summer school will be offered this school year to recover or earn credits and as preparatory programs. Availability of subjects and semesters, as well as an in-person or online format depends on the course.