Day Thirty One. Let the grading begin. A new week with new guidelines for grading in this era of what our state is calling, “Continuous Learning.” Here is a link to the state’s “Student Learning and and Grading Guidance” document (https://www.k12.wa.us/sites/default/files/public/communications/OSPI%20Student%20Learning%20and%20Grading%20Guidance_4-21-2020.pdf).
Perhaps what struck me first–and most–is the state’s call to, “Do no harm!” (an educator’s Hippocratic Oath of sorts). I was thrilled by Superintendent Reykdal’s calling attention to what I believe has long been a known but overlooked and under-addressed issue in education: the harm of “traditional” and “toxic” grading practices. But as I “celebrated” this institutional admission–this sunshine on our shadow–I experienced mixed feelings. Tweeted about it last Thursday.
And, with great earnest, I hope–I hope–we come out of this wiser to what was, so we can be better at what might yet be. I feel like this “sunlight” will be the disinfectant we have long needed to deal with what has lurked long in the shadows.
I was also struck by the announcement that no kids would fail during this time.
And the strike was closer to home than I would have liked for I had tweeted (retweeted the tweet below) at Superintendent Reykdal, asking for pass/fail to be the expectation across the board.
At the time, I did not expect the state to come out with such a plan, and I feared for the inequity of traditional grading, so in thinking that we would not shine a light on harmful practice, I figured–in this case, incorrectly–that pass/fail might be the path of least harm. In retrospect, as my friend to the North, Dana, pointed out and urged, I wish I had said pass/incomplete instead. More, I wish I had given the state the benefit of the doubt, but that doubt was deep in this regard. However, with these new guidelines, I am more hopeful than doubtful of the state’s shining a light onto some of our darker shadows, from which, I do believe, we can find our way.
Happy Monday, all. Stay safe.
Do. Reflect. Do Better.
We are doing credit/no credit, which I changed to credit/incomplete.
I believe we are doing pass/fail as well, but am hopeful pass/incomplete will be an option.
The “incomplete” certainly doesn’t close the door. Thank you for taking the time to comment. Take care.
You are so right. For 30 years, I struggled with providing mandatory grading, especially in primary. I ached to write about each student instead. That would have given a real picture of each, not ticked boxes.
Yes, I agree, Diane. Real picture. Thank you for taking the time to comment.