Read on Twitter
Okay, so I’m working on semester grades for the seniors in my AP class and I want to share thoughts about the CPS “do no harm” remote learning grade policy. This thread will try to explain my grade book, CPS policy, and then show examples. 1/?
You can find out about the CPS policy here: https://cps.edu/coronavirus/Pages/grading.aspx. The basics are that students who engage in remote learning and grades go up get the higher grade (like B to A, get an A). If grades go down or if students can’t access the digital work, they get a PASS. 2/?
If students do not interact at all or have their grade fall to an F, they get an INCOMPLETE. Seems easy right? Oh, just wait… 3/?
I’ve had interactions digitally with all my students, but some have not turned in any work. Despite this, no grades fell to an F because my school uses a standardized grading system (more in a bit). 4/?
The standardized grading system ( http://JumpRo.pe ) makes it fairly impossible for grades to fall to an F in the time we’ve been out. So, no INCOMPLETE grades issued by me. Good so far, right? 5/?
Our grading system allows for two markers if student’s do not submit work. If I put in a grade of “R” for an assignment, it doesn’t impact the overall standard grade and serves as a reminder for students that they need to complete work. 6/?
If I put in a grade of “M,” that counts as a zero and brings down student grades. I ran my grades twice, once with “R” for all missing assignments and once with “M” for all missing assignments. 7/?
Guidance from my district and admin has been to use “M” to “nudge” students to engage with remote learning. I’m opposed to this, so my default was to put in “R.” 8/?
I have no way of really knowing students’ situations, so I feel that I can’t in good faith penalize them. Many are essential workers themselves or have family members who are! Maybe someone got sick, lost a job, multiple kids sharing devices, etc... 9/?
That said, since I’m encouraged to use “M” I took the letter grades that populated with that marker and then converted them to a final grade using CPS’ remote learning policy. For one class of 30 students, 25(!!!) came out as PASS because grades dropped from 3rd quarter. 10/?
Additionally, I surveyed students about how remote learning went, what they think they learned, and asked for their assessment of a fair letter grade. These were moving and too personal to share here. Kids care! I was in awe of their responses. 11/?
So, now for a few examples of how this district policy makes no sense once you look at individual students. I had five assignments for remote learning for the students in my AP class and grade on a 4 point scale, FYI. 12/?
Student 1 is an easy one. Did all the work really well. Had an A, kept an A, earned an A. I wish all the grades were this simple. 13/?
Student 2 is where the trouble starts. They had a hard home situation and was only able to do 1 assignment. Grade drops to a C with “M,” but the student self-evaluated and said that they would be glad to earn a C. CPS policy would give a P. 14/?
Student 3 stumbled at the end, but otherwise did great. CPS policy then makes it a P. My natural teacher inclination is to agree with the self-reflection and give an A. Will CPS audit and change my grades? 15/?
And it goes on and on through my grade book. If I’m thinking this hard about a letter grade then the policy and program aren’t doing a good job showing students’ actual learning. Plus, there is a pandemic going on!! 16/?
What to do? I’m at a loss. CPS needs to rethink this policy. Listen to the students who are advocating for themselves and trust teachers to know what is best for their students. 17/17
