FHS giving students option of letter grades, pass/fail

Fairfield High School has announced it will implement a temporary pass/fail option for spring 2020 courses in response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic.

'The district recognizes that changes in instructional delivery may cause challenges to our student population,” stated a press release from the school. 'In response to these changes, FHS has determined that students will be given the option to complete the course with a letter grade or a pass/fail.”

The letter went on to state that these options apply to the work that was assigned prior to March 6. About a week later, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds recommended the closure of schools beginning March 16, and they have not opened since. Instead, most schools have opted to continue their education through optional classes conducted online or through the mail.

Procedure

Fairfield High School faculty will submit final grades by May 13, 2020, for the senior class and June 1st for grades 9-11. Student work for 12th-grade students must be submitted by May 11, and 9-11 students must be submitted by May 28. Students will have the option to receive the final grade assigned or choose a 'P” Pass course grade.

Students choosing to receive their final letter grades earned need to fill out the form on the school district's website by May 11 for 12th-grade students and May 28 for 9th-11th grade students so this information can be shared with teachers.

Students who do not submit the form asking for a letter grade will be judged on the pass/fail grading scale.

A student must earn a minimum grade of D minus based on the grading scale on your course syllabus within the course to receive a 'P” Pass course grade.

Credits earned through coursework as 'P” Pass shall count toward the total number of credits earned by the student while enrolled at Fairfield High School. However, no numerical value is assigned to a 'P” Pass grade. 'P” Pass course grades are not used in calculating the student's term or cumulative grade point average.

FHS will include a designation on all student transcripts indicating the extraordinary circumstances encountered in the 2020 spring semester.