School Board Discusses Grading, Graduation, and Distance Learning Concerns

School Board Discusses Grading, Graduation, and Distance Learning Concerns

The Leon County School Board discussed grading, high school graduation plans, and other distance learning issues at their April 28 meeting.

Assistant Superintendent Gillian Gregory explained the Leon County School District’s plan for fourth quarter grades.

Gregory said that students will continue completing homework through distance learning to generate fourth quarter grades. When grades are calculated, teachers will compare the student’s fourth quarter grade to the average of the first three quarters. Then, whichever grade is higher will apply to the fourth quarter.

Gregory also addressed concerns related to distance learning. One common concern regards retention. Gregory said there could be retentions, but they will be based on data from before the pandemic. Additionally, because the State of Florida has suspended grade promotion requirements like standardized tests, many students who were in danger of being retained will not be.

Another common concern is teacher engagement with students. Gregory said very few schools have identified students that they haven’t made contact with, but for students that they haven’t been able to reach, schools are following typical intervention procedures like house visits.

Superintendent Rocky Hanna also explained the district’s plans for a drive-in graduation ceremony at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center.

The ceremony will be formatted so that students and their families remain in their cars in the Civic Center parking lot. A stage will be set up for speeches, which will be broadcast on movie screens in the parking lot as well as online. Families will be able to turn their radios to Real Talk 93.3 to hear a ceremony broadcast.

Hanna said only one car will be allowed per family. School Board members suggested reconsidering this rule for split families and families with extenuating circumstances.

Hanna encouraged families without access to cars to contact their principles, and the district will collaborate with local vendors to ensure that every family has a car to use.

The ceremony is scheduled to be held May 26, 27, and 28 at 8:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.

7 Responses to "School Board Discusses Grading, Graduation, and Distance Learning Concerns"

  1. proper marching of the seniors could still be done with 6 feet between each student, parents in the cars. Why can’t this happen? They aren’t going to do another ceremony later on for these kids. I feel it in my gut. They will move on to the next school year after the drive in movie is over.

  2. The Rocky Horror Show featuring his ill informed hand picked non interviewed, job never posted political appointments also known as Assistant Superintendents are on display for all to see. Retention is not an issue for political appointees as long as Rocky is re-elected.

  3. “When grades are calculated, teachers will compare the student’s fourth quarter grade to the average of the first three quarters. Then, whichever grade is higher will apply to the fourth quarter.” …………… Why not have the Fourth Quarter Grade BE the Fourth Quarter Grade, then add up all 4 Quarters, divide by 4 and there is your GPA for that Year?

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