Port Neches-Groves ISD says “Pass/Fail” focuses on students’ needs & abilities

Published 12:20 am Wednesday, April 29, 2020

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PORT NECHES — The Port Neches-Groves Independent School District is following a “Pass/Fail” at-home learning grading procedure for students in prekindergarten through 12th grade.

The new grading system became effective March 25. Grades posted will transition to P@ (pass) or F@ (fail).

Assistant Superintendent Julie Gauthier said the district felt this model best suited the students and staff.

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“It definitely provides the most flexibility for the situation we are in and gives the students the opportunity to be successful in the curriculum we are providing them,” she said. “Usually in the classroom, we are able to meet the needs of individual kids, but to make it fair, this model gives our teachers leeway to focus on each student’s needs and abilities.”

A pass will be awarded to students showing progress toward accomplishing the content specific daily activities.

Students must submit a demonstration of learning to the teacher according to activity specifications, progress shown toward content understanding and exhibiting a mastery of content and skill.

“Student participation is very important,” Gauthier emphasized. “The things teachers are giving them need to be done in their best effort. We need to see an increase in knowledge and participation in their academic program from home.”

Students given a F@ failed to pick up a packet, login in to online assignments and turn in completed assignments weekly or showed incomplete work, made no effort and/or do not demonstrate an understanding in key concepts.

Teachers will review student work and support instruction by delivering a distance learning system that accounts for periodic check-ins and feedback.

The fifth six weeks and second semester average will appear as a “Pass” or “Fail” for each student. Second semester grades will not be included in the final GPA. The first four-week grading periods will remain as given.

Dual credit students will receive a letter grade from the college and “Pass” or “Fail” for the high school course.

Gauthier said the grading guidelines are a compassionate and flexible way to work with teachers and students.

“The biggest downside of all this is the loss of interaction with our students,” she said. “We can set up small Zoom meetings, but it’s not the same thing as seeing them face-to-face. We chose it because of the flexibility. It gives students, teachers and parents the relief of not getting stuck on small decisions.”

Parents or students with questions or concerns are asked to get into contact with their teachers, principals or district officials.

“Flexibility is the key,” Gauthier said. “If anyone is feeling stressed or overwhelmed, they need to contact their teachers. This is unchartered territory for all us, but we are all in this together.”

For more information visit the district’s website at pngisd.org.