Pass/Fail Option
For a variety of reasons, some students struggle in art classes. This is especially true for Art Foundations I, the beginning art class at the junior high level. Since it is a foundations course, most of the critical skills and knowledge necessary to art at the secondary level are presented. While the most common reason for failing a class is simply that the student has not completed the assigned work, some students have issues which make learning problematic. Issues may include visual difficulties such as poor acuity or poor visual perception. Other students may exhibit intellectual deficits or learning disabilities. Other students might be especially anxious about their performance in an art class. Students have even have a physical handicap which inhibits the skills involved.
It is for these reasons that I offer a pass/fail option to parents. With this option, each assignment is evaluated for quality and completion, just as I would do for any other student. However, for the final end-of-term grade, the student can earn a “P” for “Passing” rather than a traditional letter grade. The passing grade gives the student full credit for the course but is not calculated in his or her grade point average. This option is also a more compassionate grade for those students who struggle for any of the reasons listed above – or for any other reason the student and parents might have.
Following are the guidelines I have chosen for students and parents interested in this option:
· Parents should contact me so that I know they approve of this option for their student, as opposed to the student making this choice without parent knowledge.
· I would like to be contacted well before the end of the term, by midterm if possible.
· To qualify for a passing grade, the student must do all assigned work. This requirement ensures that students are making a good faith effort to learn the skills and concepts presented, and that the passing grade is a meaningful grade.
· Students choosing this option must demonstrate good effort in class and in completing work outside of class.
In the past students who are doing very well academically, or their parents, have requested pass/fail grading. Typically, the student has an “A” in every class except art, and the student is zealous about achieving a high grade point average, such as a perfect GPA. Although I have misgivings about using pass/fail grading in such circumstances, I will agree to do so if the student’s parents make the request.