Rebranding Equity Grading – Survey #15

My name is Long Jiao, and as a member of the Cupertino Union School District (CUSD) Board of Education, I am dedicated to building stronger connections with our community through transparent communication and feedback opportunities. These independent surveys help me stay informed on your priorities and ensure diverse voices guide our work. Please note: This survey is conducted solely by me and does not represent the official position of the full CUSD Board.

In May 2025, the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) proposed a district-wide “Grading for Equity” initiative, which included elements like multiple retakes, reduced emphasis on homework and behavior, and a focus on mastery of content. The proposal faced significant community opposition and was ultimately paused or abandoned.

As of January 2026, several Tri-Valley school districts (including Dublin Unified, Livermore Valley Joint Unified, Pleasanton Unified, and San Ramon Valley Unified) have been considering or implementing similar grading reforms. These efforts often emphasize standards-based grading, mastery-based assessment, or general “grade reform.” District leaders have described these changes in terms that avoid the word “equity,” focusing instead on providing opportunities for students to demonstrate mastery over time, offering feedback, and aligning grades more closely with learning outcomes.

For more background on these developments, click here.

Please share your perspective by completing this brief survey: https://voting.pofetl.com/optin/697e4f8d3a40f66896f55ff0.

Please see results here and comments here.

https://public.tableau.com/views/survey15/Survey15?:language=en-US&:sid=&:redirect=auth&:display_count=n&:origin=viz_share_link