How Students’ Grades Are Changing During The Coronavirus

What should we expect of students during the coronavirus pandemic? After all, campuses are closed and classes can only meet online.

The uncertainty has prompted many districts to relax their grading policies:

• The Los Angeles Unified School District will not issue any “F’s” this semester — and no overall grade will drop lower from where it stood in March.
• Long Beach Unified elementary students will not receive report cards at all this semester. Middle- and high school students will receive pass-fail grades.
• Corona-Norco Unified students grades’ can only improve from their March level.
• Santa Ana Unified will likely revisit its grading policies soon. While details are still in the works, Superintendent Jerry Almendarez told students in a video update: “We don't want you stressing out about your grades.”
• On the other hand, San Bernardino City Unified has not changed its grading policies or practices, spokeswoman Linda Bardere said in an email.

What do students and teachers think of new, relaxed grading policies? We asked a high school teacher — and a Zoom classroom full of middle schoolers.

As one eighth grader put it, it's a dilemma:

• No Right Answers: How Schools Are Grading Students During The Coronavirus

MORE ON SCHOOLS & THE CORONAVIRUS:

• Four Big Questions About Teaching Kids With Special Needs In The Age Of Coronavirus
• A 'Great Big Digital Divide' Is Hampering LA Schools Efforts To Teach Remotely
• Despite Free Internet Offers, Some Low-Income Parents Struggle To Get Kids Online For School

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