Unfortunately your program regarding no fail policies did not meet
current standards for fair and unbiased reporting. Also, the focus of
the report was assessment and not student learning, which is the purpose
of the school system. When you submit a revised program, I suggest you
consider the following:

First, acknowledge that there are a wide variety of assessment practices
used by teachers and schools across Canada. These practices are revised
continually with the current focus "assessment for learning".

Second, the tenor of the program was "O MY GOD - There are no
standards". Admittedly, there was a token defender of the no zero
policies; but, his views were not understood or ignored. When you
revise the report you should focus on the many changes that are being
tried to improve student retention and learning. These changes were
made in part because of concern over drop out rates and achievement test
results. Change is necessary to improve retention and learning.

Third, you might include the truly innovative ideas about assessment.
Talk to Alfie Kohn. He will explain the decades of research showing
grading reduces the depth and scope of learning and should be avoided.
In addition, he can explain how an ungraded classroom works.

A report about how assessment is being used to improve learning and
focusing on the future would be more useful for your audience. As a
minimum, assessment should be considered in the context of learning.

I'm looking forward to your revised report. I hope you will take
advantage of this opportunity to improve your understanding of the role
of assessment in learning.
- posted by Larry @ 1:35 p.m.