UPEI, Holland College being flexible with grading to help students through COVID-19
'The transcripts from this year will not look like transcripts from other years'
Holland College and UPEI say they are taking a compassionate approach to students academic needs as education moves out of the classroom and onto the internet to adjust to COVID-19.
Holland College transcripts will no longer show a numerical grade but will only show whether the student passed or failed a course. Records will also no longer show if a student dropped a course.
Sandy MacDonald, Holland College's president, says he doesn't want students penalized as a result of the changes and stress that's surfaced because of COVID-19.
"Let's say they're taking an exam online, and they feel they're not really comfortable with this approach, we'll give them another assessment approach," MacDonald said. "We may give them a credit earned, versus a mark.
"The transcripts from this year will not look like transcripts from other years."
UPEI says it will be dealing with grades on a case-by-case basis.
Kathy Gottschall-Pass, the university's interim vice-president of academic research, said some students are concerned a pass-fail system could hurt their chances when applying for further education like law or medical schools.
If a student felt really disadvantaged then we would encourage them to reach out.— Kathy Gottschall-Pass, UPEI's interim vice-president
"We have a lot of students who are still requesting grades," she said.
So instead of creating a blanket pass-or-fail system, the university is asking students who are concerned about their grades to turn to their instructors to come up with a plan.
"If a student felt really disadvantaged then we would encourage them to reach out and there are many things we can do to help support them if that's the case," Gottschall-Pass said.
In addition to grading concerns, MacDonald said Holland College is also working on how face-to-face job placements, practicums and clinical learning might be tackled while following provincial health measures.
MacDonald said the hope is to have a plan before the semester ends. But, if not, he said the college will continue to explore options.
COVID-19: What you need to know
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
Common symptoms include:
- Fever.
- Cough.
- Tiredness.
But more serious symptoms can develop, including difficulty breathing and pneumonia, which can lead to death.
Health Canada has built a self-assessment tool.
What should I do if I feel sick?
Isolate yourself and call 811. Do not visit an emergency room or urgent care centre to get tested. A health professional at 811 will give you advice and instructions.
How can I protect myself?
- Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Clean regularly touched surfaces regularly.
- Practise physical distancing.
More detailed information on the outbreak is available on the federal government's website.
More COVID-19 stories from CBC P.E.I.
With files from Island Morning