Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1449741
Biology teacher Shana Just tells her students, "It's never too late to pass if you can show you understand the concepts." between an A, B and C, and 50 points between a D and an F. "If you have a kid who never does homework and aces every test and knows the material but fails, the system isn't working. Now my thinking is: If you learned it, you learned it." She puts less emphasis on homework or " busywork" with multiple-choice questions, and instead asks students to explain scientific concepts. "I tell students, 'It's never too late to pass if you can show you understand the concepts — even without the scientific vocabulary. You're never so far behind you can't catch up.' " She is pleased students are now more willing to take risks, rather than find the "right" answer. She believes this is the best way to approach science and make new discoveries. RANCHO CUCAMONGA: Professor shows flexibility Jackie Boboye, a counselor and professor at Chaf- fey College, has changed how she grades students in her Essential Student Success class and her Career and Life Planning course. Since she is preparing students for the future, she wants them to be inspired and excited about learning, instead of devastated by setbacks. e pandemic brought it all home: Her students are caring for loved ones and are sometimes sick themselves. ey have housing and internet problems and are super stressed. "In the past, students had to provide documentation for late work if there was sickness or a death in the family," says the Chaffey College Faculty Association member. " With the pan- demic, that has changed. I'm more flexible about late work, as long as students communicate with me." She doesn't assign many tests or quizzes anymore. Instead, she' ll ask students to read a chapter and create their own quiz and answer their own questions — or cre- ate a summary. "I want students to be more engaged and be able to express what they have learned. They can't redo assignments. But I offer them extra credit by taking workshops online, and partic- ipating in conferences, which allows them to demonstrate research and learning tying into their career goals." Grades are important, but learning is even more important, she believes. "I love to see them succeed, and then come back and share their success stories with other students. It's why I love what I do." AL AMO: Change takes time and reflection Courtney Konopacky, a teacher on special assignment and an English and history teacher at Stone Valley Middle School in Alamo, began rethinking the grading process 33 F E B R U A R Y / M A R C H 2 0 2 2 Jackie Boboye "If you have a kid who never does homework and aces every test and knows the material but fails, the system isn't working. Now my thinking is: If you learned it, you learned it." —Shana Just, Sacramento City Teachers Association