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Teachers urge board to revisit end-of-quarter grading rule, saying workload and academic readiness suffer
Summary
A teacher and union-affiliated commenter told the board that a new policy preventing teachers from stopping acceptance of student work shortly before quarter end increases grading burdens and may reduce academic rigor.
A Baltimore City Public Schools teacher asked the board to reconsider a district rule that bars teachers from closing gradebooks one or two days before the end of a quarter, arguing the change increases grading workload and undermines accountability.
Jocelyn Providence, a teacher and Be More member, told commissioners the district's end-of-quarter grading change allows students to submit large amounts of late work in the final days of a term. "This makes that grading workload unmanageable for teachers, and this does not properly prepare students," Providence said. She said some students delivered an entire quarter's homework on the last day or two and that seniors in particular should not be able to submit all work at the last minute without meaningful penalty.
Providence suggested alternatives: allow teachers a short deadline (for example, two days before quarter end) to grade late work, extend limited early-release time to give teachers more grading time, or pay teachers a stipend for after-hours grading. She also argued the policy turns learning into a transactional process when students can wait until the last day to submit all assignments.
Why it matters: grading deadlines affect teacher workload, student preparation for postsecondary expectations and the accuracy of report cards. The board said it will consider public comments and continue to collect feedback.
Key points
- The policy change was intended to increase equity by allowing late work to be accepted through the official quarter end so students have more opportunity to submit missing work. - Teachers say the change increases end-of-quarter grading volume and creates unmanageable work for teachers within contract hours. - Possible responses discussed included moving the effective deadline earlier, providing stipend pay for grading during peak times, or re-evaluating the policy to balance equity and manageability.
Quote
"This makes that grading workload unmanageable for teachers, and this does not properly prepare students," said Jocelyn Providence.
Ending
Board members thanked Providence for the testimony. The board and staff noted they will take public feedback into account as they finalize budget and policy-related decisions this spring.
