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As almost a full year of distance learning comes to a close, hundreds of Encinal students need to figure out how to make up credits for classes they failed. However, it seems more online courses are the only option for many who struggled with learning online.
Though teachers tried making their classes easier and their curriculum more understandable during this unique school year, online learning was not for everyone. 21% of Encinal students (205 students) received an NM in one or more of their classes last semester and 12% of students (117 students) received an NM in two or more classes last semester.
Alameda Unified is offering an in-person summer program for elementary and middle school students who meet certain criteria but the district is only offering in-person learning for a select amount of high school English Language Learners. This means cyber high is the only option for hundreds of Encinal students who need to make up for missing credits.
“I believe that Cyber High has the potential to be a much more meaningful option for credit recovery than it currently is,” said assistant principal, Ms. Jones-McLean. “There is a greater likelihood for success when students have the opportunity to retake a course at EJSH, but unfortunately that isn’t always an option.”
In June 2020, the state of California authorized the release of $5 billion in an effort to help school districts alleviate learning loss due to COVID-19. AUSD will receive close to $19 million from Learning Loss Mitigation Funding (LLMF).
"If there is money that could help provide more ways of credit recovery, then the district should provide it," said future senior class president Ian Muchiri.
The district continues to explore alternative credit recovery options for next school year.
“We at EJSH are also working on a Fall plan to support students that need to recover credit,” said Ms. Jones, “We know the need is here and we want to make sure that our Jets are fully supported.”
But with many students facing almost a year's worth of missing credits, time is of the essence.
"This year has just been so challenging all around," said future junior class president Skyla Wong. "I see where the issues are coming from and I definitely think there could be better steps for students to receive the credits they need. "I strongly believe that students should be given at least options and not just none at all."
Originally, the district planned to offer four sections of a summer course to ELD students. The four week course, which would count as elective credit, would help students make up some of the learning loss from the school year. However, due to low enrollment, the district had to cut two sections, which would accommodate about 60 students.
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