Along with announcing that schools should remain closed for the rest of the school year because of the coronavirus pandemic, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond was in the thick of key decisions and announcements this week affecting school districts embarking on the new world of distance learning. They include a policy authorizing pass/fail grades and an initiative with Google to bring computers and internet access to thousands of students.
This week, Thurmond discusses what the department is doing to ease the transition to remote learning and his concern that low-income children may be left further behind.
Plus, Louis and John talk with EdSource reporter Larry Gordon about the impact of the agreement by the University of California and California State University to accept pass/fail grades on courses this semester and UC’s decision not to require that high school juniors take the SAT and ACT for admissions next year.
For background to this podcast, check out the following from EdSource:
- California leaders take on tough assignment: convincing students that school is still in session
- Thousands of California students to get free Wi-Fi and Chromebooks for distance learning
- California school unions, district leaders pledge to cooperate on coronavirus challenges
- First few weeks of remote teaching is learning experience for teachers and students
- University of California suspends SAT/ACT requirements for 2021 applicants