North Cook News

 Oak Park River Forest (OPRF) board member Tom Cofsky wants everyone to remember the common goal shared in the debate over how to best educate students in the era of COVID-19.

“I appreciate all the efforts put forth,” Cofsky said at a special board meeting held to deal with the issue. “There is feedback it’s not working for everyone and we know that’s the case.”

Still, Cofsky is slow to push for drastic changes.

“To waive or lower the bar ... I want to ensure that our students have the opportunity to learn in unprecedented times,” he said. 

 The issue of grades and what seniors require to graduate has become a red-hot issue around OPRF ever since members of ROYAL (Revolutionary Oak Park Youth Action League), which has students at the school, requested that grading policies for the second semester be changed to account for the pandemic and the negative effects it has had on student learning.

In addition to a no-fail policy, ROYAL is seeking a commitment from the school board that includes assuring that all students will receive credit for their current classes, all seniors at the school will work with ROYAL toward gaining Bridge Cash Scholarship Pandemic Assistance, a guarantee that students be given credit for taking part in mental health and healing activities and a vow "ROYAL shall be given the power to implement recommendations and hold OPRFHS accountable for learning through the COVID-19 pandemic and the U.S. racial violence pandemic.”

School officials countered by insisting they are doing all they can to make learning accessible to all students. Officials said they have “deliberately enhanced our academic and social-emotional supports in an effort to ensure that all students, particularly those who struggled, have had equitable access to learning.”