Only a few days after Tahoma School District announced grading standards for the remainder of the school year, the state Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) has issued new grading requirements for the entire state.
The new state standards are based on doing “no harm” to student grades. High school students will have opportunities to improve their grades, based on their March 17 grade status. Teachers will assign grades based on student work. Teachers also have the option to give students an “incomplete” instead of a letter grade. Students getting an “incomplete” would have opportunities to re-engage through summer school (depending upon programs offered), independent study or other means as agreed upon by the district, the student and family. No failing grades are allowed.
For grades kindergarten-8, students will be expected to “demonstrate effort and success in learning standards established by their teachers,” according to OSPI. All students will move to the next grade level for the 2020-2021 school year, unless a student’s parents and teacher agree to have the student repeat the grade.
Tahoma will reconvene a committee that developed grading standards and adapt to the new state requirements. Details on grading will be announced soon. Regardless of the final grading format, students are expected to continue participating and carrying out assignments in the remote learning program. Teachers and principals are available to provide support and discuss any challenges students and families are experiencing.
