New Gradebook Pilot

The new gradebook pilot has stirred up a whirlwind of emotions among students. The gradebook pilot was created by a committee of fourteen teachers with the support of the Academic Leadership Team. The pilot limits student and parent access to the grade book on myHILLTOP from January 16th to February 14th. However, students can check in with their advisors every Tuesday during advisory to see their grades. The goal of the pilot is to help students achieve a healthier balance between their academic responsibilities and their personal well-being. The committee believes that when students constantly check their grades, learning becomes more about getting high grades instead of engaging with the class material and teacher feedback. By limiting access to the grades on myHILLTOP, the committee hopes that students will focus less on their grades and more on their learning, whether that involves getting feedback from teachers or participating in classrooms. 

Despite the intentions of the Academic Leadership Team, many students have expressed that the new gradebook pilot may be adding extra stress. While interviewing members of the community, several students expressed concern that not being able to access their grades is causing them to worry more about their academic performance. They noted that the ability to view cumulative grades helps reassure them about how they are doing in their classes. On the other hand, some students are not affected by the pilot, either because they do not frequently check their grades or because they have not received the grades of many assignments they have recently completed. In fact, out of every five students interviewed, only one out of five believed that this new pilot was beneficial. These students felt that limiting grade access could potentially reduce stress over time. They believe that having an open grade book has made many students gain the habit of constantly checking their grades. Moreover, several students admitted they continue to check their grades out of habit, even though the feature is no longer available.

Two teachers from the committee shared their thoughts on the pilot. One recognized that the program may be uncomfortable for some but hopes that with the new pilot, students will feel less pressured by the grades they get. They also hope students will feel less stressed about the actual number they get and focus more on their understanding of the material taught in classes. Similarly, the other teacher views the gradebook pilot as a good trial to understand how the school and teachers can better support WA students, adding that they are looking forward to seeing student feedback after the four weeks. 

The impact of the gradebook program is still developing, as students and teachers all have mixed opinions on it. Although some students believe that the new pilot is adding to their stress and anxiety, others feel that this could reduce the pressure on grades for them and their peers in the long run. Furthermore, many teachers are hopeful about this new pilot, believing it could help students with learning and engagement in their classes. After the four weeks, the feedback received from students and teachers will help determine if this pilot is helpful to WA students with their learning.