SF Board of Education Approves New Grading Policy for Distance Learning

Press Release

San Francisco (April 29, 2020) - The SF Board of Education on Tuesday unanimously approved a grading policy for all San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) students for the time that school buildings are closed and distance learning takes place.

For students in grades 6 through 12, teachers will assign “Credit / No Credit” for each course. A student who receives “No Credit” may receive “Credit” if the student completes the required work by the beginning of the Fall 2020 semester (earlier for graduating seniors).

For students in Transitional Kindergarten through 5th grade, classroom teachers will provide feedback on progress in the “comments only” report form. For students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), grades will be provided in accordance with those plans.

“This approach to grading during this time takes into account the persistent opportunity gap for marginalized students, including African American, Latinx, and Pacific Islander students, homeless students, those living in poverty, English learners, and students with IEPs, and the potential for the widening of that gap during the time that school buildings are closed,” SF Board of Education President Mark Sanchez said.

“We recognize that grades are a way for students to receive feedback from teachers and for teachers to gauge how their students are learning. And while our hope is that students continue to learn to the greatest extent possible during this time, we know that circumstances for teaching and learning vary among educators and families,” SFUSD Superintendent Dr. Vincent Matthews said.

Since closing school buildings on March 16, SFUSD has been implementing a phased-in plan to provide equitable learning opportunities for each and every student for as long as school buildings remain closed. 

For the first few weeks of closures, the district shared home learning resources that included PK-12 grade level materials across a variety of subjects with added support for English learners, students with disabilities, and diverse populations. 

The week of April 13, SFUSD officially launched teacher-led interactive distance learning for all PreK-12 students. Teaching includes both digital and non-digital (print-based) options for students to engage in learning at home as their circumstances allow. SFUSD continues to emphasize to families that it supports parents and guardians in prioritizing wellness and wellbeing for themselves and their children.

SFUSD has deployed robust technology support for students to facilitate their education from home. The District has provided more than 10,700 mobile devices to students in 3rd through 12th grades and more than 1,500 hot spots to students. The District has also partnered with the City of San Francisco and philanthropists to expand internet access for students living in public housing, and developed technology support resources for families.

SFUSD has facilitated virtual professional learning for more than 3,000 educators and staff to help manage the shift to digital distance learning.

SFUSD has distributed over 11,000 learning kits and 33,000 books to students in PK through 2nd grade.

View the Alternative Grading Policy resolution and staff presentation.