Here are the top 5 things you need to know from OSPI’s Student Learning and Grading Guidance sent to Washington teachers on April 22nd.

1. Grading will follow a “do no harm” policy.

This means that a student’s grade cannot become worse than the grade that they had on March 17 when schools closed. A student’s grade in a class on March 17 will act as a baseline and every student will have an opportunity to improve that grade.

2. Students will not be required to repeat a grade level.

Unless it is mutually agreed upon by the teachers and parents/guardians of a student, every student will move onto the next grade level.

3. No student will receive a “pass,” “fail,” or “no credit” grade for any course.

Essentially what this means for Seattle Public Schools, who have adopted an A/F grading system, is that every student gets an A. However, students who do no engage with learning at all will receive a grade of “incomplete.” If a student receives an incomplete, it will be up to districts to decide what an “incomplete” means and how to provide that learning later on whether that is in summer school (presumably online for summer 2020), re-taking courses the following year, independent study, or online classes. Every class taken during the school closure will be designated on students’ transcripts. Middle school students may still earn P/NP or C/NC grades.

4. Districts will be deciding which grading system to use.

Have an issue with your child’s grading system? Email your school principal or the district, not your child’s teacher. They have no control over it.

5. Attendance will not be a factor when determining student grades.

Enough said.

Student learning times

Consistent with those student learning times published by OSPI here, districts, teachers and school principals determine which Washington State Student Learning content standards, skills, and knowledge are most essential for student success in the next course, content, or grade level.

recommended learning times as published by ospi

We are all in this together

OSPI also reminds families that students, families, and educators are learning together right now. No one has had any previous training to prepare for a situation quite like this. Curriculum that teachers have been using for years may be unusable right now, causing them to work around the clock to figure out what the best learning resources are for their students.

According to OSPI, “without a vaccine, continuous learning at a distance may extend into the next school year in some form.” If we are going to continue to survive and hopefully eventually thrive together, above all, it is important right now for all of us to remember to take care of our basic human needs and those of our children.

Take care of yourselves and each other, especially your children’s teachers who are working tirelessly to make sure that all of their students are getting what they need and deserve.

Source: Washington OSPI Student Learning and Grading Guidance