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District pauses grading reform rollout after stakeholder feedback; working group and college outreach planned
Summary
After mixed feedback from teachers, parents and students, district leaders said they will convene a representative working group, negotiate implementation details with labor partners, and consult college admissions officers before returning with refined grading policy language and an implementation framework.
District staff updated the board on the proposed grading and assessment policy revision and outlined next steps after broad stakeholder engagement yielded mixed but constructive feedback.
Staff reported 463 survey responses and multiple forums that showed general support for the policy goals — clearer expectations, focus on learning, and reduced stress — but widespread concerns about implementation, cross‑discipline consistency and potential impacts on college admissions.
"The direction of the work is understood and supported by the majority of our educational partners," the curriculum executive director said, but the presentation stressed that CTE, VAPA and PE teachers raised discipline‑specific issues that require targeted guidance. Staff recommended convening a focused representative working group and structured collaboration with labor partners to refine administrative regulations and implementation guardrails. They also said they will reach out to regional college admissions officers to understand transcript and GPA impacts.
Teachers attending the meeting voiced strong reservations. Monte Vista math teacher Ben Mendoza said parts of the draft policy risk reducing accountability for missed work and could make makeup procedures unworkable. "I was particularly horrified...that means there's no consequence or accountability for student cheating or cutting the class to avoid assessments," he said during public comment. District leaders acknowledged those concerns and said further work is required before implementation; an updated draft and an implementation timeline will return to the board in the 2026‑27 school year.
