District changes grading system

Moves to pass-incomplete for rest of school year

Elyria Schools is moving its fourth quarter to a pass-or-incomplete method with curriculum calendars which became available on April 13.

In a newsletter to parents, Superintendent Ann Schloss said it’s expected for students to complete most of their school work. However, Schloss said due to the “unique circumstances,” students will not be expected to complete all of the curriculum.

“Each family is undergoing unique struggles, a reality that school officials must account for in designing an academic program for students at home.”

— Superintendent Ann Schloss

“We are asking that students — with as much guidance as possible from parents or caregivers — make every effort to complete as much as possible of the curriculum calendar, with the ultimate goal of presenting regular progress updates to the student’s teacher,” Schloss wrote.

Students in College Credit Plus or Advanced Placement courses are required to earn a grade, per state guidelines. Their

teachers will work specifically with them on the matters, according to Schloss.

Schools are closed through at least May 1, according to Gov. Mike DeWine’s statewide order. In the newsletter Schloss said Elyria Schools have to assume students will not be in school for the remainder of the school year.

“Each family is undergoing unique struggles, a reality that school officials must account for in designing an academic program for students at home,” Schloss said. “Our guiding principle in these efforts: Students, not grades, come first.”

The curriculum calendars have week-by-week lessons, teaching ideas and assignments and can be found under the home learning tab on Elyria School’s website. The calendars give detailed plans on the next six weeks of the school year by grade level and for high school students, by course.

School buses will deliver paper packets to pre-kindergarten through fifthgrade homes. Those will be delivered between April 15 and April 17.

For grades six through eight, paper packets will be available by request. Parents

or guardians can email the school’s principal, and they will arrange to get a copy.

At the high school, everything will be online. If there’s an instance where a high school student needs a paper packet, it can be arranged, but would be on a requested basis only.

Work can be submitted by providing photos, scans, emails and electronic status updates of the student’s progress.

According to Amy Higgins, the director of communications & organizational strategy, the packets and curriculum calendars

were designed to meet the situational needs of families within the district.

“Not everybody has the same access and it’s not fair to expect people to work the same when not everyone has the same access and tools,” Higgins said.

The pass-or-incomplete grading method is designed to ensure kids are staying engaged, said Higgins.

“We want the students to be engaged and on track with their education,” she said. “The activities are fun and are designed to not be stressful for the parents.”

According to Higgins,

students need to complete at least 40% or more of the curriculum calendar for a passing mark.

Teachers will be keeping in touch with families through phone calls, emails, video conferences or whatever works best for the parent or guardian, said Higgins. Teachers also will provide feedback on students’ work on the curriculum calendar.

“These projects have a lot of thought behind what the students should be doing,” Higgins said. “We’re educators. We want the best for our students and their families.”