Mineola eighth graders won't be required to use Build Your Own Grade learning program created by superintendent and his son after backlash, district says

Mineola eighth graders will no longer be required to participate in a controversial program developed by a company founded by the district superintendent and his son, and the digital platform is suspended, school officials said this week.

The program, known as the Build Your Own Grade Learning Management System, is branded as a “competency-based learning” and grading system that aims to empower students to take ownership of their learning. It was developed by Quave , a company district Superintendent Michael Nagler and his son James Nagler, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology student, created together, according to the company’s website.

Quave has described the program as “revolutionary,” a sentiment echoed by Michael Nagler when he spoke in promotional videos the district released