Bemidji Area Schools Grading Systems

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Minnesota Department of Education has recommended that each district develop a grading system with an equitable mindset. The district has been asked to consider the stress, anxiety and uncertainty that this pandemic has caused and to design a grading system that causes no harm and minimizes long-term detrimental impact for students. Following the recommendations from the Minnesota Department of Education during these unprecedented times, the Bemidji Area Schools will be implementing the following grading systems:

Bemidji High School

The Bemidji High School will follow the traditional letter grading plan for students but with two updates: no pass rather than failing grades and a pass (option) rather than a letter grade.  We will not offer failing (F) grades at this time, but rather have a NP (No Pass) grade to be put in its place.  Students who earn a NP will not earn the credit for the course and will need to retake the class or recover the credit if it is required.  A NP grade will not factor in or affect a GPA positively or negatively.  Students will also have the option to OPT IN for a pass (P) grade rather than a letter grade.  A “P” on a student’s transcript will not affect overall GPA, but rather will neutralize it. Please note, College in the High School (CIHS) courses will follow a more specific policy. Please see your counselor for more information and click here to access the policy.

Students must communicate with each of their teachers which option they prefer: traditional letter grades or a pass/no pass grade.  Students’ decisions on grading may differ from one class to the next.  Decisions must be shared and communicated with each teacher by the final school day of the 2019-2020 school year.  For seniors, this will be May 22nd.  For all freshmen through juniors, this will be June 3rd.

Summary

  • All students will receive a letter grade (A, B, C, D, or No Pass (NP)) for their Term 4 courses and Semester 2 courses. 
  • If a student does NOT want the letter grade they are currently earning (A, B, C, or D), they need to OPT IN for a Pass (P) grade. All students earning an F will be given a No Pass (NP) grade.
    • Students will OPT IN for a P with their teacher for EACH class.
    • Decisions are FINAL as of the last day of the window. Students will not have the opportunity to change this decision after the window is closed.
      • For 12th grade, class of 2020, the last day to decide is Friday, May 22nd, 2020.
      • For 9th-11th grade, classes of 2021-2023, the last day to decide is Wednesday, June 3rd, 2020.
  • Students will need to communicate their choices directly with their teacher for EACH class.

College in the High School (CIHS) students need to follow the specific CIHS grading policy and process. Click here to access the policy.

Bemidji Middle School

Bemidji Middle School’s grading policy will have two updates for Term 4 grading: A No Pass (NP) will be given in place of a failing/unsatisfactory grade and all other grades will default to a Pass (P) grade unless the student OPTS IN to receive a letter grade. We will not offer Unsatisfactory (U) grades at this time, but rather a NP (No Pass) grade put in its place. Students who earn a NP will not earn the credit for the course, but may be assigned to retake the portion that they missed, or will be offered supplemental programming in the 2020-2021 school year. A Pass (P) or No Pass (NP) grade does not factor in or affect a GPA positively or negatively. Students have the option to OPT IN to receive a letter grade for any class.

Students must communicate with each of their teachers if they want to OPT IN to a traditional letter grade or they will receive a P/NP for each class. Students’ decisions on grading may differ from one class to the next. Opting in for a letter grade must be shared and communicated with each teacher via Google Form, or the hard copy form in the paper packets, no later than June 3, 2020.

All BMS finals tests will be given and corrected prior to May 30th so students are aware of their final grade and can make decisions about taking the pass/no-pass or graded option prior to June 3rd. 

Summary

  • All students will receive a Pass (P) or No Pass (NP) for their Term 4 classes unless they OPT IN for a letter grade (A, B, C, or D).  They need to OPT IN by June 3rd, 2020.
  • Students would need to OPT IN for a Letter grade with their teacher for EACH class – as an example – a student could have three letter grades on their report card and three (P) or (NP)’s.
  • Students will need to communicate their choices directly with their teacher for EACH class on the Google Form their teacher sends to them.
  • If a student has chosen the packet learning option, they will have a paper sent to them in their packet directing the student to choose Pass/No-pass, or a Grade option for each class. 
  • For any classes that a student was not able to take due to the distance learning model, but were still scheduled to take during the fourth quarter, the student will receive a “P” for a grade.
  • Decisions are FINAL for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders as of the last day of school – June 3rd.

Bemidji K-5 Elementary Schools

Central Elementary, Horace May Elementary, J.W. Smith Elementary, Lincoln Elementary, Northern Elementary, Solway Elementary and Gene Dillon Elementary

The Bemidji K-5 Elementary Schools will follow a P-Pass or U-Ungraded grading system. Students will receive a P-Pass if the student has participated in their learning.

·       Any student who has not participated will receive a U-Ungraded identifying that they did not participate in their learning.

o   Students who receive a U may be required to participate in alternative or extended learning opportunities to make improvements in the areas that they struggle in the following school years.

Lakeside Learning Center

During distance learning, grading at Lakeside Learning Center will be based on a Pass/No Pass basis, therefore grading during this time will not impact your child’s GPA. If your child receives a No Pass (NP), they have not earned credit. He/She will have the opportunity to make up work to earn credit.

Oshki Manidoo

During distance learning, grading at Oshki Manidoo will be based on a Pass/No Pass basis, therefore grading during this time will not impact your child’s GPA. If your child receives a No Pass (NP), they have not earned credit. 

First City School

During distance learning, grading at First City School will be based on a Pass/No Pass basis, therefore grading during this time will not impact your child’s GPA. If your child receives a No Pass (NP), they have not earned credit. Students attending First City since the end of January or before may have the option to receive a letter grade.