CARRANZA SAYS 50-50 WE WILL BE BACK AT SCHOOL IN SEPTEMBER; GRADING POLICY ANNOUNCED (Updated with Entire Press Release on Grades)

An unnamed principal has reported that at a telephone meeting Chancellor Richard Carranza told principals that there is a 50-50 chance that we will be back in school in September. Remote learning may be here for a while.

Knowing how the Spanish flu pandemic had a second deadlier wave than the first wave in 1918-19, Carranza's comment does make some sense.

From History.com:

The first wave of the 1918 pandemic occurred in the spring and was generally mild. The sick, who experienced such typical flu symptoms as chills, fever and fatigue, usually recovered after several days, and the number of reported deaths was low.

However, a second, highly contagious wave of influenza appeared with a vengeance in the fall of that same year. Victims died within hours or days of developing symptoms, their skin turning blue and their lungs filling with fluid that caused them to suffocate. In just one year, 1918, the average life expectancy in America plummeted by a dozen years.

How did it end?

By the summer of 1919, the flu pandemic came to an end, as those that were infected either died or developed immunity.

Let's hope and pray that there is no deadly second wave with COVID-19 and that we can return to school buildings.

Grading Policy Finalized
The proposed grading policy for NYC schools that everyone knew about has finally been officially announced by the Mayor and Chancellor.

From ABC 7:

Grades K-5
- Two grading standards: Students will receive "meet standards" or "needs improvement."
- Basis for evaluation: Existing course requirements such as submitted assignments, projects and writing samples.
- Students who cannot demonstrate mastery or submit work will be enrolled in summer programming to develop skills.

Middle School: Grades 6-8
- Three grading standards: Students receive "Meets Standards" "Needs Improvement" or "Course in Progress."
- Basis for Evaluation: Existing course requirements such as remote class discussion, presentation, submitted assignments and tests where appropriate.
- Students who cannot demonstrate mastery or have not completed work will be enrolled in summer programming to develop skills.

High School: Grades 9-12
- Grading standards: Use existing grading scales.
- Students who require more time to show mastery will receive "Course in Progress" and enrolled in summer-fall support programs.
- Students have option after receiving passing letter grade to convert to "Pass" rating, leaving GPA unaffected.
- Basis for Evaluation: Schools have adapted current school year curriculum and assessments for remote learning, including term papers, exams and oral presentations, allowing students to show content mastery.
- Students will have until January 2021 to complete outstanding coursework.

Update: The Press Release including Mulgrew Quote

NEW YORK—Mayor Bill de Blasio and Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza today announced an adjusted K-12 citywide grading policy. The policy maintains a high bar for student achievement, gives flexibility to families and students grappling with the COVID-19 crisis, and provides targeted support to students who have fallen behind.

“Our students, educators, and families are going through a lot right now. I know our students are capable of excellence, and we will continue to hold them to that high standard while adjusting our grading to reflect the unprecedented challenges created by this crisis. We will give every student the support they need to bounce back and continue on their path to success,” said Mayor de Blasio. 

“We recognize that parents and students alike are experiencing anxiety and trauma in the midst of the pandemic, and we have continually evolved our policies to meet this moment. Our adjustments to grading maintain clear expectations that acknowledge each individual student’s experience, while creating a consistent, equitable system across all schools,” said Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza. “Our priority is to minimize stress on families and students, while still providing next year’s teachers with the information they need about an individual student’s progress toward achieving standards.”

"We needed a grading policy that captures the work students have done this year, both in the classroom and during distance learning, while not punishing students for things outside of their control. We think this policy strikes that balance by incorporating the concerns of parents, teachers and stakeholders," said Michael Mulgrew, President of the United Federation of Teachers.

This new grading policy still requires students to meet the DOE’s high standards, but also provides flexibility, where needed, given the extraordinary circumstances families are in because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This policy reflects the input of teachers, students, and parents from across the City. The new grading policy for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year is effective immediately:

· Grades 3-K and Pre-K: There is no impact as these students do not receive report cards or grades.

· Grades K-5: Schools will award grades using a binary “Meets Standards” and “Needs Improvement” scale to ensure students are demonstrating mastery of the learning outcomes for their required courses.

· Grades 6-8: Schools will award grades using three values: Meets Standards, Needs Improvement, and Course in Progress. 

· Grades 9-12: Schools will continue with the same grading scales they had before remote learning with the addition of a “Course in Progress” rating for students who cannot submit work or demonstrate mastery. Failing grades will be considered “Course in Progress.” Students will be given the time and support they need to complete coursework and earn credit through January 2021. In alignment with CUNY’s COVID-19 flexible grading policy for their 2020 Spring Semester, high school students who have successfully completed and earned credit for a course will have the option to convert a passing grade to a “Pass” rating that preserves their existing GPA, but will still count as credit toward graduation.

All students who do not demonstrate mastery or complete required work will be given the support they need over the summer and fall to get back on track. All students receiving “Course In Progress” who have not yet completed required course work will be enrolled in summer programming. High School seniors and current 8th graders who receive “Course in Progress” will be prioritized for support to keep them on track for August graduation and promotion. When students complete the course, their grade will be changed from “Course in Progress” to the appropriate passing grade. 

Schools are expected to take into account the full year of work and current circumstances when making assessments for grading. Assignments and evaluations are intended to measure a student’s mastery of coursework and understanding of the core concepts and standards needed to succeed in the following grade. We are asking our teachers to make adjustments that acknowledge the impact of remote learning on the ways in which students complete their assigned work, such as expectations for due dates.

The DOE is supporting every high school senior on the path towards graduation through one on one counseling support and opportunities for schools and families to get students on track. In accordance with the State, students are still required to meet their credit requirements for graduation, and must earn a passing grade to receive credit for their courses. Students who receive a “Course in Progress” in a class they need to graduate will have the opportunity for an August graduation after completing coursework over the summer.

Attendance for the 2019-20 school year may not be used as a factor in screened admissions during next year’s admissions cycle, and we are in the process of developing additional guidance on admissions processes for the fall given the change to grading. Guidance will be issued after further community engagement.