AB 104 | ASSEMBLY BILL 104 INFORMATION
The state of California recently enacted a new law – Assembly Bill (AB) 104 – that will expand learning and credit recovery options for students who may have struggled academically during the pandemic-impacted 2020-2021 school year. These include:
- A process for high school students to change eligible grades to Pass/No Pass
- A process for students who were enrolled in grades K-11 for the 2020-2021 year to request to repeat the last grade
- Exemption from district graduation requirements for students in grades 11 or 12 who were not on track to graduate
Grade Changes
Grading Policies Change from Letter Grade to Pass/No Pass
Recently the California State Assembly passed a bill that includes provisions for students in TK-12 schools. On Thursday, July 1, 2021, Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill 104 into law, and we’d like to provide you with important information on how this legislation may apply to your student, specifically around “Grading Policies” with regard to grade changes from a letter grade to Pass/No Pass.
Recently the California State Assembly passed a bill that includes provisions for students in TK-12 schools. On Thursday, July 1, 2021, Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill 104 into law, and we’d like to provide you with important information on how this legislation may apply to your student, specifically around “Grading Policies” with regard to grade changes from a letter grade to Pass/No Pass.
Grading
Grade Point Average and Transcripts
Courses with a pass/no pass grade are not used in the grade point average calculation. The following general guidelines can be used to determine whether a change to a pass/no pass may benefit your student:
How to Request A Grade Change
If you would like to request a grade change, please follow these steps:
- AB 104 permits parents of students who were in high school in 2020-21 (or the student, if they are 18) to request letter grades for the 2020-2021 academic year be changed to Pass/No Pass on transcripts.
- The new law requires CSU and encourages UC, and private postsecondary institutions to accept those grade designations without prejudice. You can review the list of colleges and universities who will accept, for admission purposes, a transcript with a Pass/No Pass grade instead of a letter grade. Colleges and universities not listed, including those in other states, may not accept a Pass/No Pass grade for admissions.
- We recommend you reach out to the specific college or university your student is interested in if you do not see the college or university listed in the list provided before applying for a grade change.
- Parents/guardians of students or students who are 18 or over, must submit an application for a grade change to your student’s school within 15 calendar days of this notice (August 1, 2021). Your request will be evaluated and updated grade information will be communicated within 15 calendar days after receiving your request. Absent of a grade change request form submission by Sunday, August 15, 2021, will result in a letter grade in the student’s transcripts.
Grade Point Average and Transcripts
Courses with a pass/no pass grade are not used in the grade point average calculation. The following general guidelines can be used to determine whether a change to a pass/no pass may benefit your student:
- A change from an F to no pass will benefit a student’s overall transcript
- A change from a D to pass will benefit a student’s overall transcript
- Other changes are unlikely to benefit a student’s overall transcript
How to Request A Grade Change
If you would like to request a grade change, please follow these steps:
- Contact the student's counselor, who will ask you to fill out, sign, and date a grade change form. Before requesting a change of grades, we highly recommend you consult with the counselor or principal to discuss your student's specific circumstances.
- Your request will be evaluated and updated grade information will be communicated within 15 calendar days after submitting your request.
Repeat Grade
Process for K-11 Students to Request to Repeat the 2020-2021 Grade
This law provides a process for parents and guardians to request that their student repeat the grade they were enrolled in during the 2020-2021 school year. Parents and guardians of students who were in grades Kindergarten – 11 in the last school year would be eligible to make this request if their student received a D, F, or No Pass grade for at least one-half of their coursework in the 2020-2021 school year. This request would trigger a personalized consultation with representatives of the district to review and discuss all learning recovery options and supports that the student could access.
How to Apply
Parents/Guardians may submit a written request through the Milpitas Unified School District Learning and Development Office by completing this form (Español / Tiếng Việt). The district will schedule a consultation within 30 days of submitting the form. For more information, please go to the Milpitas High School website.
This law provides a process for parents and guardians to request that their student repeat the grade they were enrolled in during the 2020-2021 school year. Parents and guardians of students who were in grades Kindergarten – 11 in the last school year would be eligible to make this request if their student received a D, F, or No Pass grade for at least one-half of their coursework in the 2020-2021 school year. This request would trigger a personalized consultation with representatives of the district to review and discuss all learning recovery options and supports that the student could access.
How to Apply
Parents/Guardians may submit a written request through the Milpitas Unified School District Learning and Development Office by completing this form (Español / Tiếng Việt). The district will schedule a consultation within 30 days of submitting the form. For more information, please go to the Milpitas High School website.
Graduation Requirements Exemption
Exemption for 2020-2021 Juniors and Seniors of District Graduation Requirements
The law requires that high school students who were in their third or fourth year of high school during the 2020-2021 school year, and who were not on track to graduate in four years, may be exempt from our district’s graduation requirements that exceed statewide requirements. It also requires high schools to provide credit recovery support for these students, including the option to retake courses, or to enroll in a fifth year of high school, to complete state graduation requirements.
Eligibility
Milpitas Unified School District will contact students eligible for this exemption.
The law requires that high school students who were in their third or fourth year of high school during the 2020-2021 school year, and who were not on track to graduate in four years, may be exempt from our district’s graduation requirements that exceed statewide requirements. It also requires high schools to provide credit recovery support for these students, including the option to retake courses, or to enroll in a fifth year of high school, to complete state graduation requirements.
Eligibility
Milpitas Unified School District will contact students eligible for this exemption.
