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Emergency Distance Learning
Moving On Up!
Some Responses to Common Questions We've Received During EDL
I’d like to share a few questions that I have received over the last few days about the grading system and its potential impact on students. Please know that the decision was not one that was taken lightly and involved a number of conversations with various stakeholders. We leaned heavily on the research and ideas presented by our friends at Challenge Success who have helped guide our school to be a better place for kids. Keep in mind, TUSD recently received new information and is reviewing our policy to determine whether changes may be warranted. We'll update the community as soon as a final determination is made.
I’ve found that one of the best resources to answer many of the questions out there is a video that Challenge Success recently put out. It is a Zoom Q and A with various professionals in the field of education. The video is roughly an hour long and addresses most of the concerns that parents may have. If your questions are not answered below, please take the time to watch the video. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-a53g2PC6c&feature=youtu.be
Below are the questions I’ve received and their corresponding answers. As you read, please know that there is no perfect solution to this dilemma. I’ve sat in numerous meetings, talked to a number of parents and students, and put together several spreadsheets trying to outline a “perfect” system. At no point were we able to find one.
Doesn’t the credit/no credit system negatively impact my GPA?
This semester will essentially work like an “N/A” in the gradebook. When the GPA is calculated, it will neither help nor hurt a student. There is the possibility that a student who was doing exceptionally well in the Spring Semester could have improved their GPA if we used letter grades, however the same holds true for the other side of that argument. Students whose grades were lower on average than earlier semesters would have been hurt had we kept letter grades. In analyzing our 3rd quarter grades and GPA marks, we found that a majority of our students would benefit from the credit/no credit model. Also, knowing that most students would be negatively impacted by distance learning and the stress from the COVID situation, odds are that students’ performance would decrease.
But I am still concerned about my GPA…
Over the last several years we have been communicating to students and parents that a child is more than just their GPA. We’ve shown complete high school transcripts and asked “what story does this transcript tell?” Having reviewed numerous transcripts over the last few weeks, it’s very clear that the story the transcript tells does not change regardless of the grading system used this semester. A student that has worked hard for four years to achieve great grades will still be a student who worked hard for four years and received great grades. A student who was trending up over the last year will still be a student trending up. The story the transcript tells doesn’t change. Please refer to the "Every Transcript Tells a Story Section" below for more details.
I’ve seen other places give students the option to choose letter grades or Credit/No Credit. Why can't we do that?
How will Colleges look at this semester?
We have not found a college yet that has stated that “Credit/Incomplete” system would harm a student’s chances for admission or that letter grades would be preferred. The State Board of Education (SBE), California Department of Education (CDE), California State University (CSU), University of California (UC), California Community Colleges, and independent nonprofit colleges and universities have stated that they will accept credit/no credit grades in lieu of letter grades for A-G high school courses completed in winter/spring/summer 2020. Schools such as Stanford, Harvard, Yale, Columbia, USC, Northwestern, MIT, and Tulane have assured us that in this unprecedented time, students will not be harmed. Please refer to the "Every Transcript Tells a Story Section" below for more details.
Every Transcript Tells a Story
Senior Scholarship Winner?
Attention class of 2020 seniors! Have you been notified that you are receiving a scholarship of $500 or more? If yes, Beckman High School wants to recognize you! The scholarship can be from a community organization or the college that you will be attending in the Fall of 2020. To be recognized please complete the form below on/before May 1, 2020. If you have multiple scholarships, please complete this form separately for each one. Thank you!