Updates for Parents and Guardians
October 19 - Engagement & Grading
Dear Yakima School District families,
We are a quarter of the way through this school year and as we look into student grades we are seeing very concerning trends in student engagement. We define student engagement as their interactions in class, the work they’re turning in, and their effort towards mastery of a subject.
Although we see the majority of our students being “present” during the day, there is an alarming number of students not turning in assignments or not engaging during classroom meetings. Attendance is critical. However, students who do not turn in enough work to demonstrate to their teachers they’ve met the minimal learning requirements, are at risk of adding at least one year of schooling in order to graduate.
This year we returned to a more traditional grading model. No Credit (NC) means the student does not earn a grade for the course. Receiving just one NC means they are no longer on track to graduate. They now need to earn the class credit for every NC, on top of the other classes they still need to complete for graduation. What was already a difficult task will only be tougher with each NC they need to make up.
Here are some ways you can support your students:
Make sure they attend their daily live sessions
Encourage them to turn on their cameras. We are hearing from a lot of high school teachers the frustration with only seeing a student’s name on the screen and students not participating.
If you are concerned about your student’s grades, schedule a meeting with their teacher, or guidance counselor. Soon.
Make your students keep the same routine as when they are in school: be in class, do assignments, communicate with teachers, ask for help. Go to bed early. Wake up early, get dressed for school.
Students should not be working during the school day. Their most important job until graduation is their education. Their teachers are available during the normal school day to provide support and help.
Check Skyward to remain current on your students’ academic progress.
Please visit our website to learn how to be more current with the technologies and learning platforms your students are using. https://www.ysd7.org/domain/1122
Last Spring we had the ability to offer a lot of grace to students regarding grades. But this school year is being treated just like any other. For students not doing their work and not engaging in the virtual learning with their teachers, they face an even more challenging school career as they will be responsible for making up courses, finding time during summers and beyond their original graduation date to complete their responsibilities.
Respectfully,
-Dr. Rob Darling
Deputy Superintendent
Yakima School District
Contact Us
Email: yakimaschools.wa@k12-lets-talk.com
Website: www.YSD7.org
Phone: 509-581-5250
Facebook: facebook.com/yakimasd
Twitter: @yakimaschools