Watkins Glen reviews two school changes

Watkins Glen reviews two school changes

WATKINS GLEN--The Watkins Glen school board is considering two policy changes for the 2019-'20 school year. Technology Coordinator Melanie Chandler and Grading and Evaluation Committee Chair Beth Powell have presented the board with recommendations to revise both the current cell phone and grading and evaluation policies.
In 2016, the board approved a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy that was designed to enhance technology use and efficiency in the classroom. Students could bring their laptops or smartphones into the school to have easy access to the internet with immediate research capability. Three years later, the administration has come to the conclusion that with an increase in the number of school owned computers, more than one computer per student in the district, the BYOD policy does not warrant the disruption in a typical school day that occurs with current cell phone use in the classrooms.
Chandler urged a return to the school's prior policy before BYOD. The previous policy states that cell phones must be turned off and out of sight throughout the entire school day. An exception to the policy states that students may use cell phones prior to the warning bell and after the dismissal bell while a second exception states that students in grade 10-12 are allowed to use cell phones in the cafeteria.
Chandler recommended zero use of cell phones, in what she referenced as an "Away for the Day" policy. She said personal cell phones make it difficult for the district to prevent inappropriate usage of websites and inappropriate messaging. Board president Gloria Brubaker recognized the negative academic impact of cellphones and noted that not only would students have to be re-trained, but so would parents and grandparents who have been accustomed to texting plans to their children at school. Board member Kelly McCarthy said the school would have to provide a clear line of access for parents who need to communicate family plan changes to their students. Board member Kristin Hazlitt agreed cell phones should not be used in the classroom but suggested it may be reasonable to have acceptable use times outside of academics. The board policy committee is reviewing the policy.
Since January of 2018, the Grading and Evaluation Committee has consulted with evaluation experts, researched data, attended workshops, talked with college admissions officers and met with colleagues to develop a student evaluating system that is more attuned to measuring and reporting student knowledge, skills and learning behaviors.
After the reviewing the details over the past 15 months, the committee has made a recommendation to the board to discard the current numeric system grading system that is considered by many to be a poor communication method of student knowledge and ability. The committee recommends a simple letter grade of A,B, C and U academic reporting measure that is supplemented with measures of skills and behaviors. The board was given sample report cards designed for the lower, middle and upper grades.
Principal Kai D'Alleva provided data on the reporting systems of highly successful schools and the admission requirements of the most rigorous SUNY schools. He explained how the new system of evaluation aligns with best practice and offers an unfettered picture of student rigor to colleges. The high school sample report cards clearly state regents grades, separate from the class letter grade. D'Alleva said the new system would move the focus away from earning points to earning knowledge and skill.
One aspect of the new system, suggesting 50 percent as a start point for daily assignment grades, stirred controversy within the board. Tracy Van Skiver wondered how students would learn accountability with a possibility of 50 unearned points being given. Powell explained the harsh impact of a zero on a grade average and the discouragement students feel when they know they can't recover from a lapse. A 50 still recognizes failure but allows the student the possibility of future success. The grade averages would be translated into the recommended A, B, C and U reporting system.
Powell, D'Alleva and board members discussed the concept of moving from the current practice of assigning class rank, valedictorian and salutatorian status. Powell provided articles on how student stress becomes exacerbated as competition against other students drives grade urgency instead of a focus on growth and learning. Under the new recommendations, academic achievement and ingenuity would be cultivated and celebrated as the competition for most points or the defeat of failure are ameliorated. The board is reviewing the committee recommendations.