Grading Policy Update: What option will you choose and what will it mean for your future?

Sage Creek High School has been officially closed since March 13, 2020. Since then a new grading policy has taken effect for students doing online learning. (Photo Taken From Rachlin Partners )

Grade Changes 

Options… that is what we have when it comes to our grading this trimester. Amidst the uncertainty that has come into all of our lives due to the COVID-19 outbreak, our education and grades have been among the countless topics that have been a bit up in the air. 

Our Options

Up until April 28, the remote online assignments turned in have been reviewed but not given a score and were to be accumulated as students were to receive a credit/no credit on their report card, but now another opportunity has opened up.

 

Option 1: Credit/No Credit 

Credit/No Credit will be the default for this trimester’s grades. Upon completion and accumulation of classwork, students will receive a final Credit or No Credit Score on their report card. Credit will be given for work equivalent to anywhere between an A-D traditional grade. No Credit will be given for work equivalent to a traditional F grade. No action needs to be taken to receive this format on trimester three’s report card.

Option 2: Traditional Letter Grades

As of April 28, a new option has become available. This is traditional letter grading. If students opt for this style, each assignment completed will be given a traditional letter grade on the A-F scale. Teachers will grade each assignment on a 1-4 point scale (A=3&4 while D=1) depending on the level of mastery the work exemplifies. At the end of the trimester, all assignments will be accumulated into one overall traditional A-F grade for each class this trimester. Traditional letter grades will only be given upon request.

This graph demonstrates how work will be scored by teachers on and after April 28.
(Infographic by Madeline Mack)

Which option should you choose?

That is completely up to you and your current situation. Mr. Schuveiller says he encourage(s) students to reflect on how they are feeling at the moment and have felt over the last few weeks to consider whether they are able to undertake academic expectations at this time and work towards a grade or pursue the credit/no credit option.” 

Many students also worry about their future which heavily relies on academic success. University of California disclosed that they have “temporarily suspended some of its requirements for admitted students to ensure that they are able to enroll as planned” and has also “temporarily relaxed some undergraduate admissions policies to ensure high school and transfer students are not penalized by their inability to earn letter grades for academic classes or take standardized tests during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

UCLA pictured before the COVID-19 outbreak. UC announced that they will not penalize students for grading changes during this time.(Photo Taken From UCLA Luskin Conference Center)

Both options are open to all students to choose the path best for them personally. During this time of social distancing, students must make a decision based on their unique situation and do what is best for their well-being. Education is always important but during this unprecedented period in time extra attention must be given to mental health, these options allow for some ease in this tumultuous time.