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Should the Virus Mean Straight A’s for Everyone? Should the Virus Mean Straight A’s for Everyone?
(about 1 hour later)
As high schools approach the end of an academic year without proms or field trips or graduation ceremonies, another fundamental part of American education is being transformed: the report card.As high schools approach the end of an academic year without proms or field trips or graduation ceremonies, another fundamental part of American education is being transformed: the report card.
School districts across the country have adopted new grading systems for this semester, driven by concern for students who face hardship from the coronavirus and its economic fallout. Some districts have dropped letter grades altogether, while others are guaranteeing A’s in most cases, or ensuring that students’ performance during the pandemic will not count against them.School districts across the country have adopted new grading systems for this semester, driven by concern for students who face hardship from the coronavirus and its economic fallout. Some districts have dropped letter grades altogether, while others are guaranteeing A’s in most cases, or ensuring that students’ performance during the pandemic will not count against them.
But there are places where administrators have encountered stiff resistance to the idea of dropping grades, even temporarily. Some parents and students are concerned about the ability of high achievers to compete in selective college admissions, while others worry that eschewing grades means students will have less incentive to participate in remote learning.But there are places where administrators have encountered stiff resistance to the idea of dropping grades, even temporarily. Some parents and students are concerned about the ability of high achievers to compete in selective college admissions, while others worry that eschewing grades means students will have less incentive to participate in remote learning.
“Are expectations going to be this very fluid line that we keep shifting?” asked Tanji Reed Marshall, a director at the Education Trust, a national advocacy group focused on low-income students and students of color. She warned against “deficit thinking” that underestimates what young people from poor families are capable of, even during a public health crisis.“Are expectations going to be this very fluid line that we keep shifting?” asked Tanji Reed Marshall, a director at the Education Trust, a national advocacy group focused on low-income students and students of color. She warned against “deficit thinking” that underestimates what young people from poor families are capable of, even during a public health crisis.
Over the past few weeks, many public schools have adopted what is called a “hold harmless” approach to grades, including those in Los Angeles, the nation’s second-largest district. The approach allows students to use the rest of the semester to improve their scores, but their final grades cannot drop lower than they were before schools shut down.Over the past few weeks, many public schools have adopted what is called a “hold harmless” approach to grades, including those in Los Angeles, the nation’s second-largest district. The approach allows students to use the rest of the semester to improve their scores, but their final grades cannot drop lower than they were before schools shut down.
New York City, the nation’s largest district, will still issue letter grades in high school, although students with failing scores will get an “in progress” instead of an F. But they can also opt into a pass/fail system that would not lower their grade point averages, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Tuesday.New York City, the nation’s largest district, will still issue letter grades in high school, although students with failing scores will get an “in progress” instead of an F. But they can also opt into a pass/fail system that would not lower their grade point averages, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Tuesday.
Across the country, there is no clear agreement on the best approach, with some states, including Illinois, Delaware and New Mexico, urging districts to adopt a pass/incomplete or credit/no credit system, and others like Oklahoma warning that a lack of letter grades could cost students scholarships or harm their eligibility for college sports. And school systems are aware that whatever they do now could set a precedent for the fall, when remote learning might continue.Across the country, there is no clear agreement on the best approach, with some states, including Illinois, Delaware and New Mexico, urging districts to adopt a pass/incomplete or credit/no credit system, and others like Oklahoma warning that a lack of letter grades could cost students scholarships or harm their eligibility for college sports. And school systems are aware that whatever they do now could set a precedent for the fall, when remote learning might continue.
Nowhere has the debate been more passionate than in the San Mateo Union High School District south of San Francisco. It is a place that epitomizes the socioeconomic divides that have always characterized American education, with the children of tech executives attending class alongside the children of undocumented gardeners and office cleaners.Nowhere has the debate been more passionate than in the San Mateo Union High School District south of San Francisco. It is a place that epitomizes the socioeconomic divides that have always characterized American education, with the children of tech executives attending class alongside the children of undocumented gardeners and office cleaners.
An April 16 school board meeting to address grading drew more than 500 people. In public comments delivered via Zoom, many parents and students argued that grades are crucial during the college admissions process. One student said grades provide “compensation and incentive for people to work hard.”An April 16 school board meeting to address grading drew more than 500 people. In public comments delivered via Zoom, many parents and students argued that grades are crucial during the college admissions process. One student said grades provide “compensation and incentive for people to work hard.”
Without letter grades, “What motivation do we have to continue working for the end of the school year?” asked another student, who described herself as having “97s in most of my classes.”Without letter grades, “What motivation do we have to continue working for the end of the school year?” asked another student, who described herself as having “97s in most of my classes.”
After listening for more than two hours, the five board members, slumped wearily in their virtual boxes, debated one another for another 90 minutes. They then voted, 3-2, against the wish of the majority of the speakers, adopting a credit/no credit grading system for the spring semester.After listening for more than two hours, the five board members, slumped wearily in their virtual boxes, debated one another for another 90 minutes. They then voted, 3-2, against the wish of the majority of the speakers, adopting a credit/no credit grading system for the spring semester.
“Our mission is to provide the students with the best education,” said Robert H. Griffin, a board member who voted for credit/no credit, “and not necessarily the highest G.P.A.”“Our mission is to provide the students with the best education,” said Robert H. Griffin, a board member who voted for credit/no credit, “and not necessarily the highest G.P.A.”
“Every facet of almost everybody’s life has been disrupted,” he continued, noting that long-term inequities — such as lack of access to quality housing, health care and technology — had been magnified during the crisis, making it difficult for some students to make the most of a chaotic transition to learning from home.“Every facet of almost everybody’s life has been disrupted,” he continued, noting that long-term inequities — such as lack of access to quality housing, health care and technology — had been magnified during the crisis, making it difficult for some students to make the most of a chaotic transition to learning from home.
Some of the loudest voices in the grading debate are those of affluent public school parents eager to see their offspring rewarded for hard work in tough courses. They note that many private schools are continuing to issue letter grades, which they fear could put their children at a disadvantage if public school districts do not do the same.Some of the loudest voices in the grading debate are those of affluent public school parents eager to see their offspring rewarded for hard work in tough courses. They note that many private schools are continuing to issue letter grades, which they fear could put their children at a disadvantage if public school districts do not do the same.
But some argue that it is low-income students who stand to benefit the most from earning grades because they may not have the other résumé boosters — international travel, essay-writing tutors, expensive summer classes — that can help set a college application apart.But some argue that it is low-income students who stand to benefit the most from earning grades because they may not have the other résumé boosters — international travel, essay-writing tutors, expensive summer classes — that can help set a college application apart.
That was the position of Marc Friedman, the school board president in San Mateo, who voted against the credit/no credit system, saying students should be able to opt in to receiving letter grades.That was the position of Marc Friedman, the school board president in San Mateo, who voted against the credit/no credit system, saying students should be able to opt in to receiving letter grades.
“We have made this chasm bigger between the haves and have-nots,” he said in an interview after the vote.“We have made this chasm bigger between the haves and have-nots,” he said in an interview after the vote.
Since schools shut down last month, Rosa Jerónimo-Flores, a junior at Capuchino High School in the district, is now responsible for caring for her 3-year-old brother, whose preschool is closed, while their parents work outside the home in maintenance and trucking. She must complete her schoolwork during the first half of the day so another brother can use her laptop in the afternoon. They live in a one-bedroom apartment, so Rosa retreats to her mother’s car for privacy when she needs peace and quiet.Since schools shut down last month, Rosa Jerónimo-Flores, a junior at Capuchino High School in the district, is now responsible for caring for her 3-year-old brother, whose preschool is closed, while their parents work outside the home in maintenance and trucking. She must complete her schoolwork during the first half of the day so another brother can use her laptop in the afternoon. They live in a one-bedroom apartment, so Rosa retreats to her mother’s car for privacy when she needs peace and quiet.
Still, she would prefer to receive grades for the current semester, as she works toward her goal of becoming either a paramedic or veterinarian. Under the credit/no credit system, she said, “People will become lazy and not want to keep up.”Still, she would prefer to receive grades for the current semester, as she works toward her goal of becoming either a paramedic or veterinarian. Under the credit/no credit system, she said, “People will become lazy and not want to keep up.”
Although some states have made recommendations regarding grades during the pandemic, most have not, leaving districts and charter schools to make their own decisions.Although some states have made recommendations regarding grades during the pandemic, most have not, leaving districts and charter schools to make their own decisions.
Colleges and universities have offered little clarity. The University of California system, one of the largest in the country, has said it will not penalize applicants who do not get letter grades this semester — but it will still consider grades from those who have them.Colleges and universities have offered little clarity. The University of California system, one of the largest in the country, has said it will not penalize applicants who do not get letter grades this semester — but it will still consider grades from those who have them.
Updated June 30, 2020
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles.
A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.
The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.
The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
The Success Academy charter school network in New York City, which is known for tough accountability, announced on Monday that it would issue regular grades, while simplifying expectations.The Success Academy charter school network in New York City, which is known for tough accountability, announced on Monday that it would issue regular grades, while simplifying expectations.
In Denver, high school students will have the ability to opt in to receiving letter grades in specific courses. San Francisco considered a system in which middle and high school students would have automatically received straight A’s, but it ultimately adopted a credit/no credit policy on Tuesday evening. And the Seattle Public Schools declared last week that every high school student will receive either an A or an incomplete for the spring semester.In Denver, high school students will have the ability to opt in to receiving letter grades in specific courses. San Francisco considered a system in which middle and high school students would have automatically received straight A’s, but it ultimately adopted a credit/no credit policy on Tuesday evening. And the Seattle Public Schools declared last week that every high school student will receive either an A or an incomplete for the spring semester.
The Seattle district noted in a news release that “grades have historically rewarded students with privilege and penalized others. This issue has become even more apparent during this Covid-19 emergency.”The Seattle district noted in a news release that “grades have historically rewarded students with privilege and penalized others. This issue has become even more apparent during this Covid-19 emergency.”
The shutdown “shows how arbitrary a lot of the traditional structures we have are,” Seattle’s superintendent, Denise Juneau, said in an interview.The shutdown “shows how arbitrary a lot of the traditional structures we have are,” Seattle’s superintendent, Denise Juneau, said in an interview.
In San Mateo, it was teachers who pushed most strongly for the credit/no credit option. Many argued that traditional grades would be farcical right now — incomparable to grades issued in the same courses a year ago, and unfair to many students.In San Mateo, it was teachers who pushed most strongly for the credit/no credit option. Many argued that traditional grades would be farcical right now — incomparable to grades issued in the same courses a year ago, and unfair to many students.
Aliza Zenilman, a biology teacher at San Mateo High School, said her students were currently unable to do laboratory experiments, a key part of the curriculum. Some have fallen out of touch or are struggling to find the time and space to complete assignments. One is working six days a week at a pizza place because he is the only person in his family with a job. Another is living in a small apartment with 13 other people.Aliza Zenilman, a biology teacher at San Mateo High School, said her students were currently unable to do laboratory experiments, a key part of the curriculum. Some have fallen out of touch or are struggling to find the time and space to complete assignments. One is working six days a week at a pizza place because he is the only person in his family with a job. Another is living in a small apartment with 13 other people.
Credit/no credit is the best grading option given these circumstances, Ms. Zenilman said. “I don’t feel like this semester has any reflection on what a student’s ability could be in a college-level science class.”Credit/no credit is the best grading option given these circumstances, Ms. Zenilman said. “I don’t feel like this semester has any reflection on what a student’s ability could be in a college-level science class.”