With Coronavirus Disrupting College, Should Every Student Pass?

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/28/us/coronavirus-college-pass-fail.html

by fortran77 • 6 years ago

2 6 6 years ago

sykick3• 6 years ago

My college switched classes to an online format and we closed the college for two weeks to give faculty time to make the switch. So in addition to hastily converting classes to an online format we lost two weeks. I’m passing all of my students. There’s no way I’ll fail someone. I’m keeping my courses open until 2021 and will answer emails from current students until then so that they can get help with the course content they need in the classes they take in Fall 2021.

I know some of my colleagues don’t share this view. At least, they don’t openly share this view. Administration is making a show about keeping up standards and rigor but this is simply not doable in the present situation. Help those students who have the time, means, and luxury to continue their studies and don’t punish the ones who don’t.

fortran773• 6 years ago

I see no problem with giving the students the option of going Pass/Fail instead of a grade, but passing everyone no matter what?

For some subjects, it would be difficult to take the next class (like Diff-EQ) with out first really understanding the previous classes (Calc 1 and 2). How can you justify passing everyone?

sykick3• 6 years ago

Millions of people have suddenly lost their jobs. Millions are ordered to shelter in place. Millions are going to go stir crazy. Child abuse and spousal abuse will increase. Mental health issues will be exacerbated. I have no desire to contribute to someone’s anguish or anxiety in such a time as this.

If they fail the next course because they don’t know this semester’s content then they’ll probably need to retake my class. Which is what they’d have to do if I fail them. If they pass the next course then they shouldn’t fail my class regardless of the work they put in this semester.

I teach mathematics.

With Coronavirus Disrupting College, Should Every Student Pass?

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