Here’s how Klein ISD is grading students during at-home learning

The final marking period for the 2019-20 school year began March 30—the same week Klein ISD implemented at-home learning for students due to districtwide closures as a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

According to Superintendent Jenny McGown, academic grading guidelines for the fourth marking period were implemented beginning April 6 to emphasize learning essential curriculum over grades and academic rank while students learn from home.

“We recognize that because of the unique circumstances, because of the challenges presented by this pandemic, we are asking people just to do their best, whatever their best looks like right now,” McGown said in an April 16 Q&A session via Facebook Live. “Just know how appreciative we are for the efforts that you are making to try to continue learning in these very difficult times.”

Starting the week of April 6-10, students at the elementary school level began receiving weekly feedback from teachers evaluating their progress and mastery of learning objectives in academic subjects. Students in kindergarten through second grade receive feedback from pre-existing grading rubrics. Overall averages for students in third through fifth grade will be based on the first three marking periods while also receiving teacher feedback during the fourth marking period.

Additionally, major and minor grade distinctions will no longer be applied to secondary students, as they will instead be evaluated based on a weekly formative assessment due each Sunday at midnight, McGown said. Due dates for remaining assessments will fall April 26, May 3, May 10 and May 17.

For high school courses, the higher grade of the third and fourth marking periods will be counted as the final grade for the fourth marking period. This means that should a student score higher or lower in the fourth marking period than they scored in the third marking period, the higher of the two numbers will be counted as the student’s grade average for the fourth marking period.

McGown said the measure is being implemented to ensure students’ academic performance in the fourth marking period cannot have a negative effect on a student's overall grade evaluation for the 2019-20 academic school year.

Additional coronavirus updates

Klein ISD has launched a new landing site for its online at-home learning resources for students and families. To view the new landing site, click here.

Additionally, as of April 16, McGown said plans for high school prom and graduation ceremonies are scheduled to continue as normal but are subject to change as the coronavirus pandemic develops. As previously reported by Community Impact Newspaper, rescheduling and virtual plans are in place should cancellations occur.