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NEDERLAND — Nederland Independent School District is following a progress, no progress grading guideline model for the final six-week period.

District officials discussed the parameters this week during a virtual school board meeting. The decision follows Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s announcement last week canceling on-campus classes for the remainder of the school year.

Assistant Superintendent Stuart Kieschnick said during the time of transition to homebound learning, the district’s administrative team looked at several models before settling on the best one.

“We feel this growth model of ‘Progress and No Progress’ is best for our students during this time,” he said. “Growth models are now used across the state of Texas when accessing accountability.”

The progress, no progress approach is based on the completion of assignments.

Completed coursework results in a “progress” for the sixth six weeks. Lack of participation will result in a “no progress.”

All students will receive a “no grade” for the fifth six weeks. Grades are based on weekly effort.

A passing “progress” grade includes submitting all completed work, some completed work or some uncompleted work.

A “no progress” grade is a result of not logging into any online learning resources, returning no work, not requesting a mailed packet if needed and no teacher communication.

Teachers will also fill out progress reports and continue to communicate with parents via email or phone.

Parents are encouraged to reach out for additional support, questions or concerns with any online learning guides or technical issues.

Kieschnick said he wants parents to know this model is based on growth and effort the student has shown during distance learning.

“The most benefit is the growth measure for our students,” he said. “We understand that this transition was not easy for teachers or students. This model takes some pressure off of them.”

The final GPA for students will reflect grades through the end of the first semester.

Class rank, including valedictorian, salutatorian, and honor graduates, will be calculated using the final first semester grades.

Transcripts will have a numeric grade for the first semester and a progress, no progress grade for second semester. Grade promotion will be based on performance for the entire 2019-2020 school year.

Kieschnick said they will continue to look at everything “holistically.”

“We want our students to know that their online coursework and digital learning should still reflect their best effort and that school is still in session through May 28,” he said. “All teachers and administrators are here to support students and families in whatever area they need, and we are going to do everything in our power to make sure these kids are promoted to the next level.”