As many of you are aware, at last night’s Special Board meeting, the Board unanimously approved “Resolution 15-2020-2021 Temporary Amendment to Board Policies/Administrative Regulations Related to Grades/Evaluation of Student Achievement and Graduation Requirements During the 2020-2021 School Year.” This resolution consists of three parts: Temporary Grade Validation, Temporary Modification to Graduation Requirements, and Incomplete and No Mark Designation.
The Temporary Grade Validation policy contains the following statement:
“At the end of the 2020-2021 school year, first semester grades shall be replaced with second semester grades if second semester grades are higher.” This statement on its own would be a violation of Education Code 49066. However, the new Board policy has allowed for teachers to “opt out” of this policy and retain control of their own grades.
If you would like the District to change all of your students’ grades for you at the end of the spring semester, then you do not need to take any action, and your grades will be changed. If you would like to continue to have control of your grades and would like to personally make any such changes to your students’ grades on a case-by-case basis, then you will need to “opt out” of the District’s new grading policy.
I spoke to John Davis today, and he is in the process of developing a procedure for teachers to “opt out” of this policy. Please allow a week or so before we know more about what this procedure will entail.
Thank You,
Matt Provost
President SMJUHSDFA