Latest news with #SFUSD
CBS News
2 days ago
- General
- CBS News
San Francisco parents concerned over implementation of school district's ethnic studies class
San Francisco Unified School District parents are speaking out now that the district is requiring ninth graders to take a two-semester ethnic studies class. Just days before the 2024-25 school year, SFUSD sent an email to parents of incoming freshmen notifying them that their kids were enrolled in a yearlong ethnic studies class, something that was previously an elective. "It's teaching to a particular ideology, not actual history," said parent Viviane Safrin. She said she supports ethnic studies, but she's concerned about how this course is being implemented. "This course for our freshman has replaced world history," explained Safrin. "Our ninth graders are saying I took this course already in middle school and why am I having to take it again as a ninth grader for a full year?" It covers topics like racism, activism, and comparing the merits of capitalism versus socialism. "When I looked at what was being taught in this course, we've gone too far," said Safrin about what she saw in the curriculum published online. "And it's okay to say we've gone too far." Parent Scott Kravitz agrees. "I feel that instead of fostering critical thinking or knowledge, all that we're doing is creating ill-informed activists," Kravitz said. In 2021, a California bill required all high schools to offer an ethnic studies course by the 2025-2026 school year. It needs to become a graduation requirement by the 2029-30 school year. District leaders say they moved forward with the mandate properly, but parent Alex Wong questions that. "The president of the board at the time, Lainie Motamedi, said, 'Let's slow this down,' and the fact that SFUSD just continued to barrel through kind of just made me hesitant on why is everything being rushed when there's still a lot of questions to be answered about this," Wong said. Ethnic studies has been offered as an elective for about a decade. Wong said mandating a two-semester class will leave students missing out on other topics. "I think the problem with SFUSD is it's a full-year course," said Wong. "The state law only requires one semester. There are only so many days in the school year, and the fact that you're required to take an extra semester and leaves less time to take other classes kids may be interested in." On the state level, there are still four years before an ethnic studies class is required for graduation. All the parents CBS Bay Area spoke with hope SFUSD uses the extra time to re-evaluate the course. "Our city schools are reflective of the best of our society," said Safrin. "We want to raise our kids here and provide the highest quality, rigorous curriculum. Giving our kids many choices and opportunities to learn."
Epoch Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Epoch Times
San Francisco School District Drops ‘Equitable Grading' Plan Amid Backlash
The San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) has abandoned a proposal to follow a 'Grading for Equity' policy for the upcoming 2025–2026 school year, after it drew criticisms from the community and officials. 'It's clear there are a lot of questions, concerns, and misinformation with this proposal. We want to make sure any changes benefit our students,' SFUSD Superintendent Maria Su said in an emailed statement to The Epoch Times on May 29. 'I have decided not to pursue this strategy for next year to ensure we have time to meaningfully engage the community.'
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
San Francisco scraps 'equity grading' program following backlash
San Francisco's education chief was today forced into a humiliating U-turn on a woke new program to lower pass marks in an effort to promote 'equity.' Superintendent of Schools Maria Su unveiled the new 'Grading for Equity' plan last night that would have seen homework and weekly testing scrapped, with students allowed to pass with scores as low as 41 - down from the current pass mark of 61. But just hours later on Wednesday afternoon, Su released a statement following widespread condemnation from across the political spectrum saying the district would hold off on implementing the move for a year. She said: 'At the May 27 Board of Education meeting, we presented a proposal for a professional development opportunity in standards-based grading. There was no action taken at the meeting. No changes to grading practices have been adopted by the district or Board of Education. 'We hold every SFUSD student to high standards, and our goal is to support student success by prioritizing learning and mastery. It's clear there are a lot of questions, concerns, and misinformation with this proposal. 'We want to make sure any changes benefit our students. I have decided not to pursue this strategy for next year to ensure we have time to meaningfully engage the community. 'Right now we need to continue to focus on balancing our budget, stabilizing the district, and rebuilding trust.' Ro Khanna, a Democratic congressman for Silicon Valley known for his progressive values, had slammed the move on X, writing: 'My immigrant dad asked me where the missing 10% went when I scored a 90. He came to America for the chance to work hard & pursue excellence. 'Giving A's for 80 percent & no homework is not equity - it betrays the American Dream and every parent who wants more for their kids.' According to The Voice of San Francisco , the plan was set to go into effect later this fall. The outlet reported that the new plan would have essentially eliminated homework and weekly testing from making up a student's final semester grade. A student's grade would be based solely on their final examination, which they can also take multiple times. Students can also be late in handing in assignments or even fail to appear in class without it having an effect on their overall mark. Current thresholds in place mean a student needs a 90 for an A and at least 61 for a D. The changes mean a score as low as 80 now counts as an A, while a mark of 21 counts as a D. Democrat Garry Tan, a venture capitalist, also blasted the move. He said: 'San Francisco schools is trying its absolute hardest to make sure all middle income families who could move out of the city do so right away. ''Grading for Equity' is going to be a real disaster and I guess this is a boon for SF private schools and Burlingame housing prices. 'For education bureaucrats who ruin our public schools with the most unfair and anti-merit polices: BUSINESS IS BOOMING. 'Someone needs to investigate the Schools of Education that spawn these policies because it is a real danger to public schools everywhere.' Entrepreneur Chamath Palihapitiya added: 'This is, on its face, absolutely retarded. It's also a disgrace that this comes from the preeminent tech capital of the world. 'This will, however, be very good for housing prices in areas surrounding SF.' According to the outlet, the district had consulted Joe Feldman who had helped implement a similar system in Placer County in 2019. In an article on the School Superintendents Association in 2019, Feldman said: 'The percentage of students receiving D's and F's decreased — and decreased more dramatically for students of color and for students with special needs. 'Grade inflation, as measured by the rate of students receiving A's, decreased, and they dropped more dramatically among more privileged student populations. 'Students' grades didn't just improve; they were more accurate. Improved grading practices significantly decreased the difference between students' grades and their scores on standardized assessments of that content, and the effect was stronger and more likely for students who qualified for free or reduced-price lunch. 'Students and teachers reported less stressful classrooms and stronger teacher-student relationships.' The Voice said that the new system would be modeled on a system used in the San Leandro Unified School District. At that school district, pupils can earn an A with a score of 80 percent and achieve a pass with a D at 21 percent.
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
San Francisco Public Schools Reverse on Grading Equity Plan After Backlash
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. San Francisco's public school system has canceled plans to launch a pilot grading reform program after a wave of criticism from local officials and families who argued the changes would dilute academic standards. The proposed "Grading for Equity" initiative aimed to reframe how high school students are evaluated, moving away from traditional metrics like homework completion, class participation, and attendance in favor of assessments focused solely on learning mastery. Under the pilot, teachers would have had the option to allow multiple attempts on tests and essays, and possibly shift away from the conventional 100-point scale. Why It Matters The pilot, which was scheduled to roll out in the 2025–26 school year, would have allowed about 70 teachers across 14 high schools to experiment with alternative grading practices. The proposed system aimed to prioritize learning over behavioral or logistical factors such as punctuality or whether a student brought in a signed permission slip. The plan was described as voluntary and teacher-led, with no mandates on grading policies. However, critics said the district failed to explain the proposal clearly, fueling misinformation and outrage across social media and community forums. What To Know Superintendent Maria Su announced Wednesday that the plan would not go forward. "It's clear there are a lot of questions, concerns, and misinformation with this proposal," she said in a statement. "We want to make sure any changes benefit our students. I have decided not to pursue this strategy for next year to ensure we have time to meaningfully engage the community." The program's abrupt cancellation came less than 24 hours after San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan publicly criticized it. "We owe our young people an education that prepares them to succeed. The proposed changes to grading at SFUSD would not accomplish that," Lurie wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "I have conveyed our view to SFUSD. We are optimistic that there is a better path forward for our kids and their future. We owe our young people an education that prepares them to succeed," Lurie wrote on social media. "The proposed changes to grading at SFUSD would not accomplish that." Mahan, a former public-school teacher, echoed those concerns and said the proposal sent the wrong message. "Lowering standards does not help children. It hurts them," he posted. School Buses in San Francisco, California. School Buses in San Francisco, California. Getty Images Representative Ro Khanna, a California Democrat, also condemned the plan, tying his criticism to his family's immigrant values and the importance of academic rigor. "Giving A's for 80% & no homework is not equity—it betrays the American Dream and every parent who wants more for their kids," he wrote on X. The plan was first revealed in the fine print of a 25-page agenda and first reported by The Voice of San Francisco, a local nonprofit. The district was preparing to vote on a $172,000 contract to train teachers under the guidance of Joe Feldman, who developed the Grading for Equity model used in other school districts, including nearby San Leandro. Feldman defended the proposal, arguing that current grading systems are inconsistent and often unfair. "Most teachers receive no training in grading," Feldman told the Chronicle. "Everyone recognizes that current grading is neither accurate nor fair and it's also widely variable." He said the intention was to give teachers tools to make grading more reflective of student understanding and to reduce the impact of what he called the "atomic zero"—a mathematical flaw in the 100-point scale where a single missed assignment can heavily skew a student's overall grade. Supporters of the plan, including some principals, said the option to revise grading practices could help students who learn at different paces and reduce disparities linked to socioeconomic background. But others questioned whether the district had the capacity to implement such a change amid broader challenges, including recent disputes over merit-based admissions and curriculum changes. What People Are Saying Matt Mahan, San Jose Mayor, posted on X: "I try to stay in my San Jose lane, but as a former East Side public school teacher I have to say — this is a terrible disservice to our students." Meredith Dodson, executive director and cofounder of the SF Parent Coalition, told the San Francisco Chronicle: "Parts of the idea seem interesting, other parts seem unclear if they'd have their intended results. At the very least, there should be an evidence-based discussion about how this impacts students and families." Joe Feldman, the initiative's creator, wrote on X: "Traditional grading lets students avoid learning yet still earn good grades. Only equitable grading ensures every student is held accountable to their learning." What Happens Next In response to the uproar, district officials emphasized that the pilot was never intended to overhaul grading for all students and would have preserved teacher autonomy. The program was expected to be evaluated for its impact on learning outcomes before any broader implementation. Instead, said Superintendent Su, the district will focus on "balancing our budget, stabilizing the district, and rebuilding trust."
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
San Francisco school district ditches proposed 'Grading for Equity' strategy after backlash from community
The San Francisco Unified School District will not be moving forward with a controversial equity grading strategy that was proposed this week after significant backlash. The strategy, known as "Grading for Equity," was presented during a SFUSD Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, according to Superintendent Maria Su, with the goal of offering "professional development opportunity in standards-based grading." Under the proposed standards, how a student scores on the final exam, which could be taken multiple times, would be what counts toward their grade for the semester, according to the Voice of San Francisco. Homework and weekly tests would not impact the grade, and neither would late assignments, tardiness to class or absence from school. College Dropouts Celebrate At Unconventional 'Graduation' Ceremony In San Francisco The letter-grade system would also be significantly altered, allowing students who score an 80 to receive an A and students who score as low as a 21 to pass with a D, which models the "Grading for Equity" system in the San Leandro Unified School District, Voice of San Francisco reported. Read On The Fox News App The new system was supposed to be tested by 70 teachers in 14 SFUSD schools until the community, including the mayor and lawmakers, spoke out against the proposal. San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie wrote on X that the younger generation is owed "an education that prepares them to succeed" and the "changes to grading at SFUSF would not accomplish that." "I have conveyed our view to SFUSD. We are optimistic that there is a better path forward for our kids and their future," he wrote, in part. Tensions Flare At School Board Meeting After Trans Athlete Wins Multiple Track Events U.S. Rep. Kevin Kiley, R-Calif., called out the proposal, sarcastically describing it as a "brilliant solution." "San Francisco has come up with a brilliant solution for its failing schools. Students simply won't be failed," Kiley wrote on X. "Under the new 'Grading for Equity' plan, Fs are now Cs; Bs are now As; homework and tests are ungraded; truancy is unpunished; and finals can be re-taken again and again." U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., also shared his opinion on the proposed grading system on his personal X account. "My immigrant dad asked me where the missing 10% went when I scored a 90. He came to America for the chance to work hard & pursue excellence. Giving A's for 80% & no homework is not equity—it betrays the American Dream and every parent who wants more for their kids," he wrote. A statement from Su on SFUSD's X account on Wednesday said that there have been no changes to grading practices within the school district and no action was taken at the meeting. She said each student within the school district is held to a high standard and SFUSD's goal is to "support student success by prioritizing learning and mastery." "It's clear that there are a lot of questions, concerns and misinformation with this proposal. We want to make sure any changes benefit our students," Su wrote, in article source: San Francisco school district ditches proposed 'Grading for Equity' strategy after backlash from community
