Tri-Cities students won’t get ‘Fs.’ But what will report cards look like?

Students in Washington state won’t see “Fs” on their report cards this school year.

But how students earn those grades could vary greatly from Kennewick to Richland to Pasco after last week’s announcement by state education officials.

State Superintendent Chris Reykdal told schools, parents and teachers that no students will fail a class as a result of the statewide school shutdown because of the coronavirus outbreak.

And, among other things, high school students must get a letter grade.

A “passing” or “completed” mark is not enough.

Now, school districts statewide need to decide how those report cards will look for their students. Last week the Seattle school board approved giving all students either As or an incomplete.

Kennewick was the first in the Tri-Cities to announce that their students won’t need to worry about their grades if they were already passing when classes ended.

Most Richland students also won’t need to worry about failing, but they are required to hand in the work for the rest of the year.

And Pasco has yet to say what it plans to do.

Kennewick’s decision was met with mostly accepting comments online.

“I am so glad that my kids now have an incentive to do their schoolwork,” said one Kennewick parent.

“What’s important is our grades cannot get any worse,” agreed a student. “I’m satisfied with the new grading rules, although I would still like answers on the navigation/quest requirements (for graduation).”

Washington schools plan

“In this global crisis, teachers are overwhelmed, parents and guardians are overwhelmed and many of our students are overwhelmed,” Reykdal wrote.

“Getting through all the chapters and all the assignments is not our priority right now. Checking in with students and families and offering continuous learning against a handful of critical standards is our need.”

Much of the state’s focus is on high school students and middle school students earning high school credits, since younger students will most likely advance a grade unless the parents and teachers agree they shouldn’t.

For high school students, Reykdal laid out a set of guidelines districts should use when they’re putting together their grading policy. They include:

• No student will fail a class. The worst they will can receive is an “incomplete,” which means they would need to show at some other point that they understand the material for the class.
• Schools need to hand out letter grades. The range can vary depending on the district, but they can’t use a “pass or fail” system.
• Students will get a chance to improve their grades.
• Students’ transcripts will show the classes they took during the coronavirus closure.

Kennewick grading plan

Kennewick students who are passing their classes have two choices — keep the grade they have or try to get a better grade. For high school students, A-D are passing grades.

If a student chooses to get to work, they won’t end up with a worse grade, said Robyn Chastain, the executive director of communications and public relations.

Parents can check out their student’s grade through PowerSchool at ps.ksd.org/public/.

If a student wants to improve their current grade, they can reach out to their teacher.

Each school website has a continuous learning page that will have email addresses for teachers, their office hours and how they will communicate with their classes.

Teachers will put together the work students need to show they understand the material. When they finish the work, the teacher will decide if they pass.

If they don’t show they understand the material, the student will get an “incomplete.” They will get the chance to make up the class later.

Educators want to make sure students have a grasp on the core concepts.

The district recommends middle and high school students spend 30 minutes to three hours a day learning.

Younger students are expected to spend 30 minutes for preschoolers up to 90 minutes for fourth- and fifth-graders.

“Time commitments are mindful of the fact that many families have limited internet and one device, which may be shared amongst multiple people,” Kennewick officials said in their letter.

Teachers should be delivering goals and expectations each week along with providing parents with learning materials.

Pasco students

Pasco administrators continue to work with teachers on a policy for grading, according to a message to parents from the district.

They plan to share more details during a Tuesday night school board meeting.

Richland report cards

Richland officials shared their final plans for grades with parents Friday evening.

Elementary students won’t receive traditional grades, rather teachers will use video chats, projects or other ways to show that students understand the material.

“The district is committed to providing continuous learning as called for by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction,” the district wrote in a message to parents. “This included students in kindergarten through grade 8 being challenged to demonstrate effort and success in learning standards.”

Students taking high school courses will need to put in more work.

While they can’t get a worse grade than what they had on March 17, they need to turn in school work for the rest of the year. If they don’t, then they will receive an incomplete.

Teachers should be reaching out at least once a week with activities or projects based on what students should know, district officials said.

The district’s website has resources available for students and parents.

Students can make up the work at other times including summer school or courses the following year.