Given the circumstances, the traditional grading rubric was thrown out the window. For , evaluation focused on:

Students were encouraged to document their experiences during the pandemic, turning a global crisis into a personal historical record.

Analyzing the specific assignments from that summer reveals a shift in educational priorities. While core subjects remained central, the approach changed.

For schools that did assign summer work, the format changed completely. The classic stapled packet was replaced by the —a menu of low-stakes, screen-optional activities.