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Board presses county on literacy capacity, grading policy and ILP implementation
Summary
Board members urged expanding literacy training beyond a single specialist, raised questions about a 'no-Ds/no-Fs grading policy' possibly inflating GPA metrics, and asked staff to strengthen Individual Learning Plans and data practices.
Board Member Chelsea Bonini and other members pressed San Mateo County Office of Education staff on the implementation and measurement of literacy supports and related policies during the June 10 meeting.
Bonini reaffirmed support for literacy and the Office of Youth and Community Restoration pilot, asking whether training and responsibility would be spread across more staff rather than relying on a single specialist. Executive Director Sarah Notch said the intent is to build staff-wide capacity and expand training so literacy practices are embedded across instruction.
Bonini raised concerns that a "no-Ds/no-Fs grading policy" could artificially inflate GPAs and complicate year-to-year comparisons of academic growth. Notch said she had not focused on that interaction previously and will review how the grading policy affects reported growth. Board members also discussed the breakdown in implementation of Individual Learning Plans (ILPs), where staffing instability and rapid student turnover at sites such as Hillcrest hindered the intended advisory-based monitoring. Notch and Superintendent Chávez said they will pursue clearer oversight and consider analytic support from the Center for Learning Analytics to establish meaningful baselines and growth measures.
Speakers quoted or referenced in this article are Chelsea Bonini and Sarah Notch.
