De Blasio says NY schools dropping traditional grades for some students

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) said Tuesday that the city’s schools would be implementing a revised grading system for most of its students as the country’s largest district continues to conduct classes through virtual learning amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Students in kindergarten through fifth grade will receive either “Meets Standards” or “Needs Improvement,” while middle school students, those in grades six through eight, will receive “Meets Standards,” “Needs Improvement” or “Course in Progress,” the mayor announced at a press conference.

“There has to be a sense of flexibility,” de Blasio said. “We have to recognize that some kids are having a tougher time because of this crisis, emotionally and academically, and we have to help them catch up.”

New York City has more than 1 million students enrolled in its public schools.

“Any senior who can graduate, we’re going to help them get there.”

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio details new grading policies to help “students get back on track” amid school closures during COVID-19 pandemic. Watch his remarks: https://t.co/l1MXcIielq pic.twitter.com/6nNwEMWZzC

— ABC News Live (@ABCNewsLive) April 28, 2020

High school students will still receive letter grades, but those who fail a class will get “Course in Progress” and will be enrolled in “summer-fall support programs.” Additionally, high school students who receive a passing letter grade in a class will receive the option to change their grade to “Pass,” which won’t affect their GPA. They will also have until January to turn in any outstanding schoolwork.

De Blasio also announced that there would be a virtual graduation ceremony for the city’s seniors who can’t graduate normally due to social distancing guidelines.

“We’re going to do one big celebration of New York City’s high school seniors. We’re going to make it something very special,” he said. “You may not have the traditional ceremony that you were looking forward to, we’re going to give you something you will remember for the rest of your life and you will cherish.”