PITTSBURGH (Newsradio 1020 KDKA) - With just a few weeks left to the school year, the Pittsburgh Public Schools are still distributing computers and laptops to needy students for use in remote learning. The district started its formal remote learning program last week in response to the Caronavirus pandemic.
This week the school board approved a grading plan for the 4th quarter that will allow every student to receive a passing grade. "We want to assure that no student is negatively impacted by circumstances beyond their control," said Superintendent Anthony Hamlet in a video conference with reporters. "For this reason all students will pass the 4th quarter."
The grading plan calls for no student to receive less than a 70% score or their grade from the previous quarter, which ever is higher.
Computers were distributed to seniors first and will be handed out to all students who need a device by the end of May. But because not all kids have them, live online instruction has yet to start.
"When all students do not have a computer or a laptop it is very difficult to provide live instruction," said Minika Jenkins, Chief Academic Officer. However she says students who have devices have adapted well. "Students seem to appreciate the platform. It's more close to their learning style. I'm assuming because it is really close to social media," said Jenkins.
When the pandemic hit the district determined it needed 17,000 computers for students to take home. They had 2,500. Since then they have purchased thousands more and have received hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations from foundations and others. Officials say they still need about 7,000 units.
Hamlet says the district has a long term goal of one computer for every student. And he says thought is being given to the possibility the district may have to do remote learning in the fall.
The district confirms Commencement will be online this year. The dates remain June 13 and 14. Chief of School Performance David May-Stein says there is a chance in-person proms will be held over the summer, possibly "old school" in school gyms.
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