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This would drive my (autistically inclined) D absolutely nuts and she would shout unfair. She reads course syllabi carefully to know what is testable. If it’s not on there (including extra credit) it’s not testable and shouldn’t count. She is very literal. Just providing one other student’s opinion.</p>
<p>I’m with sybbie. If a teacher offers extra credit (for whatever reason, including beach clean up or donating books), it should be announced adn offered class wide, or clearly stated in the syllabus.</p>
<p>The reason that teachers offer “little assignments” throughout the term is so that students can earn the “easy” points. “Forgetting” the little assignments is not worthy of extra credit, but that is the teacher’s call.</p>
<p>No harm in asking, however, as long as it is done in a respectful manner. But, make sure your D is prepared for a strong lecture on why she should not have “forgotten” assignments this term, resulting in numerous zeroes.</p>
<p>No harm in asking but as a teacher I am bothered when students or parents ask for special treatment. Even though the extra credit of donating her books was offered to the entire class if done by a certain time she is asking for special treatment by asking to turn the books in late. How is this fair to other students who also after the fact want to participate in the extra credit but don’t believe in asking for special treatment? </p>
<p>I have had students ask me to bump up their grade because they are oh so close to the A and if it wasn’t for those “quizzes, tests, etc…” they wouldn’t have a B. First of all, a line has to be drawn; second grades should be earned not given. I am firm that if I give extra credit all of my students will have the same opportunity to earn it and if there is a deadline attached to it, I will not budge. I feel that if it is that important to them they will take care of things. My students know that I am a very fair teacher and that I will bend over backwards to help any of them out. I stay at school long after I have to if even one child needs help. I have also given up many planning periods to work with students who need help. But, I always find that the kids who always ask for special treatment at the end of the grading period are those who never come in for extra help throughout the year. They are the ones who wait until the end and “are surprised” when they see a grade they don’t care for. </p>
<p>I also realize that driven kids have a lot on their plate now-a-days. But as a mother of a daughter who successfully spent four years in a demanding college prep program with more on her plate than I can ever imagine having I know that strong students can stay on top of things if they want to. I also have students who seem to have one obstacle or another during high school, but still successfully get through it without asking for special treatment.</p>
<p>I have asked more than one mother how giving special treatment is helping her child. Getting into a good college, and one or two B+’s is not going to kill an application, is the easy part, but successfully getting through a four-year college program is not. </p>
<p>I have some friends who are college teachers and they have all shared that they have noticed a growing problem of students who do not do everything expected of them during the term but beg for mercy at the end when they are faced with the fruits of their labors. These same professors have said that this was not an issue years ago, but has become one and that they even have parents trying to call them up and beg for their child. One professor said she has more than one child blame her for losing a scholarship because of their grade, even though they got what they earned and it usually takes more than one poor grade to lose a scholarship. Just like I have, every one of these professors has found that this is only a problem with students who don’t always do what is expected in class, but wait until the end. The more responsible students do not seem to act this way.</p>
<p>Last, I have noticed over the years that students whose parents hovered over them, picking up the pieces and asking or sometimes even demanding special treatment tended to not do well in four-year universities. Of course, I haven’t researched this, but a higher number of those kids seem to come back home for good after first year.</p>
<p>My advice to the OP, for what it’s worth: Your daughter knows the teacher better than anyone on this board (presumably) and she has the greatest likelihood of anticipating the teacher’s reaction. The teacher might offer an extra credit opportunity, or might decline but not be bothered at all by the fact that the student asked. Or the teacher might react like some of the posters, and be actively upset that the student asked, especially if the student had neglected assignments along the way. Your daughter should factor this into her decision.</p>
<p>Personally, I would think that the more serious students would want to keep their annotated novels, instead of donating them. But depending on where the donations go, the donations could be very valuable.</p>
<p>In college, extra credit opportunities are very rare, as others have noted. If it’s not on the syllabus, it’s exceedingly unlikely to be offered. </p>
<p>Also, some professors treat their cut lines very firmly. One of my colleagues discussed the cut-line issue with me after a student had approached him to ask for an extra 10 points out of 1000, to reach the next higher grade. The colleague said that he was considering making the point total for the next semester 1,000,000. Then he could tell a student he couldn’t possibly give him 10,000 extra points.</p>
<p>I am new to CC, and pleasantly surprised by the thoughtful and well reasoned comments. A true anomaly in internet discourse! After reading all the posts, especially comments from teachers, I am inclined to agree that asking for extra credit is not fair to the other students. </p>
<p>I asked my daughter if she spoke to the teacher today, and she said she decided she would rather keep her books. Bravo! She still has a chance for an A, since the teacher said that anyone scoring a 5 on the AP test will have their grade for second semester changed to an A. Yet another stressor in the seemingly endless wait for AP scores. She did well on the SAT II Lit test, so she is hopeful.</p>
<p>Regarding grade chasing in college; we know a professor who teaches an introductory biology course and every year he has to return “gifts” from parents hoping to influence their child’s grade. The only time he was tempted was when he received a several hundred dollar bottle of Cognac.</p>
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<p>This seems wrong to me. But I realize that such practices exist.</p>
<p>bluebayou, what aspect(s) of that policy bother you?</p>
<p>I don’t think it hurts to ask but this ‘extra credit’ business gets my goat. It’s not the students fault it continues to exist as teachers and professors obviously reward it. THAT is the problem. </p>
<p>But it seems like this concept is increasingly popular and follows a larger trend of things like grade negotiation, getting credit for just ‘being present’, grade inflation, grading based upon personal relationship attributes, and the the overall dumbing down of, and coddling within, the education system. </p>
<p>As I see it, one either earns the credit or they do not; this just introduces politics into it, rewards the negotiators, and it really is unfair to the rest of the class (unless of course the teacher announces this extra credit policy and makes it available to anyone who wants it). I say round up with the same rule for everybody and give students lots of feedback as well as lots of grading opportunities (and hence “on the books” second chances to improve one’s grades). And if teachers and profs are going to give ‘extra credit’ then offer up a blanket policy for everyone to participate in it (e.g. if you are within a margin of X for such and such grade, you can do Y to cross to the next grade). </p>
<p>I’m not faulting the OP or her daughter. It’s a good question to ask, it’s not tacky, and LOVE the idea of thinking of solutions to crappy situations. I just hate the existence of this larger issue, which (as a professor) I see growing each year and i think we have teachers and professors to blame for it.</p>
<p>Agree with person above admiring the nature of conversation on this board, I’m having a crush on CC since starting to read in earnest!</p>
<p>I read the question yesterday and asked my own daughter what she thought. As I expected, she was adamantly opposed to the idea of asking for extra credit, mainly because she thought the student should have done the original work in the first place. She advised me that she ALWAYS makes great effort in the first quarter so the teachers see her effort and work ethic so that IF something unforeseen arises later, the teachers know her and that she’s not a scammer (her word).</p>
<p>I had thought it showed great resourcefulness of the student to make the request, after all you don’t know if you don’t inquire. Not that it would be “RIGHT” but realistic. I’ve learned cynically in life that rules don’t always apply equally to everyone and that’s not ever going to change.</p>
<p>Deborah:</p>
<p>For just a practical matter, changing grades 2-3 months after schools close just rubs me the wrong way, particularly as it can affect class ranking.</p>