April 10, 2020

 

Dear PVPUSD High School Community,

 

In order to provide clarity on the high school grading issue and to alleviate undo stress and anxiety during this already challenging time, I would like to explain where our district currently stands on this matter.

 

Over the past several days and weeks we have been working diligently to solicit feedback and study recent guidance from the California Department of Education regarding high school grading in this new environment. We have gathered input from our high school department chairs, teachers, counselors and school administration on this topic and will continue to do so. We have also received quite a bit of community feedback on the matter from parents and students.  

 

As such, our Board of Education will be discussing grading policies at their April 22nd Board of Education meeting.  This meeting will be live-streamed and public comment will be accepted.   Based on the input from our stakeholders thus far and based on our goal of putting kids first, staff will NOT be recommending the elimination of letter grades to the Board of Education. 

 

However, there could still be adjustments to the grading systems that may better support our students during this very challenging period in their academic careers.  For now, our current grading policy remains unchanged. These proposed adjustments would not occur without our continued collaboration and input from our Palos Verdes Faculty Association and would not involve the elimination of letter grades as an option for students.  

 

Please know that our school board, our teachers and our staff are committed to doing what is best for students and we will not implement a system that is counterproductive to this premise. 

 

Thank you for your support and understanding.

Superintendent of Schools