The Edmonton Public School Board is proposing a new assessment policy, and it includes a grade of zero.
The board’s grading policy has been under the microscope for months, after Ross Sheppard High School teacher Lynden Dorval was fired, after handing out zeros to his students for incomplete work.
School officials hope the new policy will ensure there is consistency across the school board, and also make sure students are held to high standards.
“As a committee, what we propose is to make sure that it’s clear that students can receive grades from Ds to As, and from zeros to 100,” said Edmonton Public School Board Chair, Sarah Hoffman.
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Hoffman says the goal is to give every student ample opportunities to be successful.
“(We want) to ensure that every student who is in our schools, when they leave, is well educated, responsible, and ready for the world of work or post secondary.”
The first draft of the new assessment policy will be presented to the Board of Trustees for first consideration at Tuesday’s public board meeting. Then, members of the community will have the chance to give their input on the policy, through an online survey.
“What the policy review committee has decided is to have a six week consultation with the public, make sure they have lots of opportunities to provide feedback and comments, and make sure that we have- when we bring forward for second reading and then later for third reading- the very best policy around student assessment, achievement and growth,” explained Hoffman.
Hoffman says the board will also be offering an opportunity for members of the public to weigh in over the phone. Details on that component will be released in the new year.
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