Pleasanton Schools Adopt Temporary "Credit/No Credit" Grading

PLEASANTON, CA — The Pleasanton school board approved a temporary grading policy for secondary students struggling with the classic grade structure during the pandemic. Students may receive "credit" or no credit" marks instead of a low grade or failing a class.

The Pleasanton Unified School District's board discussed the policy at a special online meeting Thursday.

Middle and high school students who earned a failing grade during the semester that ended Dec. 18 will receive a "no credit." Those who earned a D will get a "credit." These marks will not damage a student's GPA as severely as an F, district officials said. Those who earned a C or higher will not be impacted by the change.

Later on, students will have the opportunity to retake courses to replace CR/NC marks with letter grades, Janelle Woodward, assistant superintendent, said during the meeting.

The pandemic has especially impacted children, isolating many students from their social circles and depriving others of an effective way to learn and absorb information.

"Teachers expressed that students continue to have difficulty with technology and that with the engagement level of students when it's over a screen it just does not work as effectively as in-person engagements for some students," Woodward said. "...they're concerned about the emotional factors that lead to the decline in engagement."

The temporary grading policy is not the same as the "hold-harmless" policy from last spring, which was meant to help students in their transition to distance learning. This policy is expected to protect students from severely impacting their grade-point average until they have the opportunity to retake the class.