I am calling for there to be a Pass/Fail Grading Option for the 2020 Fall Semester in the Bellevue School District.

Fall 2020 should be grade flexible--i.e. students should be able to choose between a P/F grade option, or a letter grade for all classes and major requirements. I am going to list several justifications: 

1. COVID in Fall 2020 has proliferated since Spring 2020. We had a P/F option for the Spring 2020, which was extremely successful in alleviating any extra stress, and allowed students to work at the pace best suited for them, without worrying about the letter at the end of their report card. Students are still facing the same physical and mental health problems, and with BSD’s announcement that there will be full remote learning until second semester, it’s inevitable that student performance will dramatically decline if it hasn’t already without alleviating this issue. 

2. Remote learning is less effective than in person learning. This is a fact. By expecting students to perform the same grade-wise, with half of the time in class than normal, there is insurmountable pressure and unnecessary stress that some cannot handle any longer. Students no longer have the support from their peers or teachers to help guide them and encourage them, we are stuck in front of a computer for four hours straight, first thing in the morning. I ask the district: What do you expect students to accomplish this semester? Do you realize how difficult this semester is?  

3. Not only is there letter grades this semester, but the grading policy has changed in most classes (grading out of 4), and with remote learning, different schedules, and different grading policy, any source of stability or confidence students once ahead is shattered.

Mr. Duran, have you had any student input into what’s best for us during this time? Have you considered students with learning disabilities in your decision making? The difficulties they deal with already by having to sit in front of a computer for four hours straight every morning, and expecting them to perform the same as they would normally? Should students feel as though they have to chose between their mental health and their grades? 

There is nothing wrong with wanting to have letter grades this semester, but by taking away the option of Pass/Fail from students who are clearly struggling academically, mentally, and everything in between, the district is making the fall semester unbearable, and impossible for students to do their best work given the circumstances. 

By having an option of Pass/ Fail for the fall semester, it is a chance to alleviate unnecessary stress from all students, but also shows that BSD values its students mental health. We shouldn’t have to worry about grades, when we are doing our best to learn, process, engage, ask questions, and complete assignments and tests, all while having half of the allotted time dedicated to teaching, yet similar if not the same expectations of our academic performance. Give students a say in how this semester works. They know what works best for themselves; how much extra time they should dedicate to each class, what time they can arrange to meet teachers after class, but also how to manage their personal life with their school life. 

Please give students the option of Pass/Fail grading system for the Fall Semester