BETTER THAN ZERO

FCPS’ relaxed grading policy is helpful to students during this unique year, but mostly unsustainable

As this school year draws to a close, we reflect on several grading policies implemented as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in order to relieve stress. The following are the newly implemented policies: no Mark (NM) replaces all F’s in the gradebook, final exams can only help a student’s grade, students may take two courses pass/fail, and a no-zero grading policy where at least a 50% must be given for incomplete assignments. While the policies were effective in lessening the pressure felt by students, they also brought on feelings of unpreparedness for future years. Therefore, only some of these policies should be continued into the next school year. EQUITY

Though each class is different, grades are typically thought of as a measure of student success. Grades, however, are not entirely representative of how well a student does in class because grades can be affected by other factors including family and financial situations. Essentially, grades are not always proportional to the amount of effort put into classes. For these reasons, especially deepened by added hardships of the pandemic, these new policies have been helpful.

While the adopted policy, specifically the minimum grade of a 50% on all assessments provides an equitable standard for students across Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), it can fail to be indicative of a student’s ability. If a student’s knowledge and ability simply doesn’t warrant their final grade due to the ‘bumps’ provided by the no-zero policy, they may fail to seek or receive the guidance they need to succeed the following year.

However, the possibilities for equity in these grading policies is overwhelming. Though the issue of equity may not be as noticeable at Jefferson, across FCPS, transferring to a virtual environment has deepened the equity divide as it is gated by technology. Though these new policies do not eradicate the divide, they do help lessen the divide. Unfortunately, with this change, teachers would have to put in more work with being attentive and perceptive of the abilities of students. Non-graded initial exams in the beginning of the school year may help teachers with gauging student abilities. FINAL EXAM POLICY

Additionally, the majority of students at Jefferson end up taking an Advanced Placement (AP) class, usually maintained with college-level coursework and rigor. These classes are often looked upon as a source of preparation for college courses, in which traditionally, the final exam ends up being the grade you receive in the course. With this year’s policy regarding final exams, it’s possible that students feel they’ve been cheated out of this opportunity to be exposed to the college-level material, as well as the class not being worth as much as they previously believed. THE FUTURE

The 50% minimum policy is one of the policies that may benefit students, even in a normal school year. By alleviating some extent of stress, students can better focus on learning the content material rather than focusing on grades, since a zero would be far more detrimental to a student than a 50% in the gradebook. However, other grading policies, like the final exam policy, might be better off abandoned in order to maintain a challenging and fair environment.

ILLUSTRATION // Neeharika Valanki

Ready to Return

Return to school policies create a strong learning environment for those at home and in the classroom

Robert Stotz Staff Writer Chris Yoo Staff Writer

Two months out from the end of the school year, and the one question constantly being asked is, “Are you going in person?” After April brought the opportunity to finally return to in-person learning, even extending to four days a week, Jefferson is looking more and more like the bustling school it once was.

While the constant increase in student population calls into question the safety measures of the school, it should be noted that the learning environment of Jefferson is as healthy as ever.

The return to school has been a great balance between student safety and education. From the ample opportunities to apply hand sanitizer to the QR codes scattered around courtyards for contact tracing, it is evident that Jefferson is doing all that it can to create an environment where students can feel safe.

As for the educational benefits of learning in person, it’s striking how much you miss when sitting at home. When physically in the classroom, you have no choice but to participate and take in the information, a feeling that has only made students more productive. It’s one thing to hear the information, but to actually be present and focused throughout lessons, it’s worth so much more.

Students who opted for remaining fully virtual, while not on the forefront of change to routine, still have to make adjustments. The April return to school plan did not mean that the new changes had no influence on their learning experience. It has definitely been an extremely different school year due to factors entirely out of their control, and it is clear that there were many difficulties for both students and teachers. When select students were allowed to transition over to in-person learning, there were a variety of uncertainties and potential problems.

The opportunities stemming from April’s return to school for both inperson and online students were overall positive. Having some students both physically present in the classroom and occupying the virtual space had a positive impact on all students regardless of environment. Being online often means that you miss crucial information because you are in the comfort of your own home, seemingly with less rules and regulations. Having students present inschool creates a more lively environment, as teachers and students can interact more freely without the barrier that is the audio and video buttons. This in turn encourages students confined to the virtual setting to participate themselves, and many students find themselves much more focused and present during class. Even online, these students feel more connected to the curriculum through the students that are inperson.

As all students prepare for what is expected to be a full return to school in September, it is important to recognize that having hybrid education is a vital step towards adapting to normality. The primary concern right now is in making sure that students will be able to adjust after a year and a half of virtual schooling. By having hybrid education, the county is allowing a smoother transition for both in-person and virtual students. What will happen come September is yet to be determined, but the preparations that are going into it ensure that whatever happens, students will be ready.

PHOTO// ErInn Harris

ILLUSTRATION// Rhea Goswami

Administering APs

The College Board and FCPS made AP testing accessible

Although it’s been flexibility in scheduling. Students a year, the technical are accustomed to virtual learning, difficulties and stress so they should be familiar with virof the 2020 digital AP tual exams. Moreover, FCPS issued exams have not been laptops now play an important role forgotten. Fortunately, in ensuring students have access to James Ye Staff Writer FCPS is more prepared to administer the tests a computer. Additionally, cheating will be disthis time around. The couraged. Questions are designed so College Board has announced that that they can not be answered by a students have the option to take AP simple internet search, and students exams at school or at home. are not allowed to revisit questions

Between connection problems, or move between unanswered cheating, and differences between questions. Plagiarism detection in-person and online tests, there software and other security features are many flaws to a digital exam. prevent violations. As technology However, the situation we have now has advanced, anti-cheating methods is the best we may get. have gotten smarter as well.

Some people believe that the best This year, digital exams are also solution is to cancel all AP exams. available for students who require Supporters of cancelling AP exams testing accommodations–they will claim that it isn’t fair to students have access to assistive technology. without access to a computer, the While it has been a rough year internet, or a quiet environment, for educators and students alike, nor is it fair to those with disabil- incredible progress has been made ities that may need accommoda- to make the virtual classroom more tions. However, while cancelling accessible. The previous year has exams would guarantee “equality” given administrators time to prepare for all students, it is not an ideal and learn from their miscalculasolution. tions. Until the actual exam day

FCPS students have less to be arrives, we should be able to hold worried about this year. With the high expectations for FCPS and the option to postpone to a different College Board. administration period, there is more

A Promising Prom

Seniors will end the year with a sense of normalcy through prom

For a while it was uncertain whether the class of 2021 would even have the opportunity to attend an in-person prom. Now that a synchronous prom has Riya Jones been confirmed, students are Staff Writer curious as to how this year’s socially distanced dance will look different from previous proms. The staff and prom committee are working to create an event that complies with all safety guidelines but still lives up to expectations as a celebration meant to mark the culmination of our high school experience. The current plan maintains the charm of an in-person prom while minimizing risk to the students and staff attending.

Although the Prom Committee was at first planning to hold four different sections of prom, each with 100 slots that students could sign up for with their friends, they will likely only need two sections in light of the updated guidelines. Applying these less restrictive guidelines makes sense as many seniors will be vaccinated by the time of prom.

Despite this lessened risk, it is still the right decision to hold prom outdoors at Jefferson rather than at a traditional event center. The school can be sure that the maximum number of students are able to attend at one time while still maintaining appropriate social distancing if the event is held outside. And since many seniors have not been inside Jefferson for quite some time, returning to the building might actually feel more special than going to an event center.

Having traditional, in-person end of the year events like prom and graduation is sorely needed for a graduating class whose senior year has been anything but normal. Being able to attend prom with peers will give students a chance to see their friends once more before leaving for college and will hopefully provide a sense of closure to those who feel the joys of senior year have been unfairly snatched away.