South Carolina K-12 students will get adjusted semester grade

In light of the coronavirus and its impact on the state's public schools, K-12 course grades for students in South Carolina may be adjusted in the second semester to one final semester grade as opposed to two separate quarter grades.

The state Department of Education handed down updated grade-reporting guidance across K-12 to all schools and districts' leaders in South Carolina in a Tuesday memo from state Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman. Since Monday, March 16, all school districts have had to shift to online instruction because schools have been closed to students.

In the memo, Spearman said given the "unprecedented" situation and with numerous academic goals for schools and students still on the table to be achieved, adjusting grade reporting was deemed appropriate.

The semester grade for students will reflect work completed and mastery demonstrated during the third and fourth quarters combined, the memo states.

The one final semester grade will be applied for any student enrolled in a credit-bearing course.

As of now, by two previous executive orders, Gov. Henry McMaster has closed all public schools in South Carolina through the end of April in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Regarding whether students will be able to return to school at all this year, Spearman said Tuesday in a news conference with McMaster that officials will likely make a decision on that in mid-April.

ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE FOR HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS

Spearman said every effort is to be made to ensure that high school seniors across the state have the opportunity and an adequate period of time to earn the necessary credits for on-time graduation.

The time period for course completion, demonstration of mastery and course remediation must be finalized by May 15, according to the memo.

A portal called VirtualSC was created to allow special enrollment for graduating seniors needing to take economics. The course will run from April 3-30.

That portal will also serve as a place to register for credit recovery courses. It opened Wednesday. Courses will begin every Monday starting April 6 for students who have received approval from their school.

WAIVERS

In an announcement last week, the state department said public schools will not have spring state testing this year after the U.S. Department of Education approved its suspension waiver.

On Tuesday, the state department waived specific provisions in state law regarding seat time/minute requirements for grades 1-5, 6-8 and 9-12, alleviating concerns about make-up days across the state.

Additional guidance to districts and schools was also included in the release.