Recent news accounts report sharp increases in students receiving failing grades during the pandemic, as well as an emphasis among some teachers on “grace over grades.” These trends have far-reaching consequences for keeping students on track for high school graduation and college enrollment. FutureEd Research Associate Vasilisa Smith interviewed Jim Schwartz, head leadership coach for the Network for College Success in Chicago, about the current grading landscape and its impact on student confidence and college-going.
What does the current grading landscape look like? What have you been hearing from teachers and students?
At least in Chicago, it's primarily the A to F system, 0 to 100 grading scale that many of us grew up with. And consequently, every school has a very high number of students who are failing because attendance is lower during the pandemic. But I also see some schools saying, "We're going to count homework less, or we're not going to give homework or use a homework category in our grades.”
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