<p>You all wouldn’t be so calm if the grade had been a C to a D and the kid got bopped out of a UC or a D to an F! I say ask for a grade change@!</p>
<p>If only this wasn’t fairly common…</p>
<p>Because of several “odd” tenured teachers and the numerous complaints about them at my D’s school, a new grading policy was instituted a few years ago as a compromise between the parents and the teachers’ union. Teachers now have a 3 point latitude (up or down) with a student’s grade–that means if your actual numerical avg is a 92 the teacher can legitimately give you anywhere from an 89 to a 95 based on intangibles–basically on a whim. </p>
<p>The good news is that the main culprit in this affair is retiring this year–hallelujah! Too bad it wasn’t soon enough for my D who suffered a similar fate in 10th grade. The teacher did not like my D and arbitrarily gave her a much lower grade than she deserved. The thing that made it stand out so glaringly was that it was a subject (English) for which my D had previously and since received numerous honors and academic awards. That was slightly irritating but not the real issue–which was her conduct.</p>
<p>I saw the handwriting on the wall, so to speak, early on when I met the teacher in the fall. Everyday my D would come home with an account of the crazy things the teacher said and did in class–I began to keep a detailed diary of her offenses which I presented at the end of the year to the Dept Chair and the Principal. They had heard all of the rumors, but never knew the depth of her insanity until that moment. My years in the corporate jungle told me the only way to get action was to document everything. Unfortunately, the district will not fire tenured teachers unless bodily injury or molestation is involved–too expensive to oust them. She was, however, reprimanded and monitored the following year, much to her dismay, which I hear prompted her decision to retire. </p>
<p>Has there ever been a thread for worst teachers ever? I have some stories…</p>
<p>I told my son about this and he agrees it’s outrageous and you shouldn’t put up with it. He’s not a grade-grubber, but he knew they did matter as part of his permanent record.</p>
<p>How about this idea: Write to the teacher and ask for written “clarification” for the given B. Copy that request over to the principal. Principal will know something’s in process that way but doesn’t have to comment immediately.</p>
<p>Then see what teacher writes back. It may or may not compare well with the older email sent to your D. </p>
<p>Then forward both (the teacher’s new reply to you, the old email to D) to the principal. Ask principal for “clarification” as to why the D should accept this on her permanent record? Request a meeting with principal, with the teacher present.</p>
<p>At the meeting, state your opinion that grades should not be used to teach lessons, but to evaluate submitted work. If your D can handle this meeting and statement, go with her to back her up but stay silent unless she starts to be bullied/condescended by either the principal or teacher.</p>
<p>Just a thought.</p>
<p>If the teacher doesn’t reply quickly, then send the old email to D as an attachment to a new one-liner to the principal asking for “Clarification” as to why the teacher hasn’t yet replied to your email.</p>
<p>I don’t see this as a grade-grubbing message at all. BTW, I dislike it just as much when hs teachers say they use high grades to “motivate” weak students. Same problem as using lower grades to “teach lessons” to strong students. Grades in hs should be feedback on work performance, not on a student’s personality, style or whatever else the teacher thinks the student should improve. That’s feedback for a conversation, or separate note, but certainly not for a transcript grade!</p>
<p>The more I think about this, the madder I get, so JNSQ, I’d be happy to go talk to the teacher AND principal AND superintendent on your D’s behalf! </p>
<p>Bet I’m not the only one, either. How about a posse? Who’s with me?</p>
<p>Brings out the hungry mother tiger in me. How dare he?</p>
<p>I have mixed feelings on this…I’m a teacher, and I think I’m a good one, but I know there some out there who are not! It really doesn’t sound like your daughter has been dealt with equitably. My advice is that you don’t delay if you and she decide to pursue the issue. If she already has her final grade, the teacher’s duty year is probably almost finished, and that would also be true of the department head. My school year ends tomorrow, and I won’t be checking my work email again after that until the end of August.</p>
<p>I’m with Owlice. We’ll form a posse to follow JNSQ like the Verizon ad people!</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>In that case I would definitely address the issue, and make sure the grade is changed (and have the administration CCed on all communication). That way the teacher will know not to mess with your children in the future.</p>
<p>The teacher is in a position of authority. Your D is not. The teacher has abused his position of authority and trust to “teach a lesson.” This is not an act that falls within the job description of a teacher. In my opinion he has misused his authority. The fact that this incident was between a male teacher and a female student also makes me uneasy.</p>
<p>It is more than likely that this teacher has behaved this way previously and no one has called him on it. He has probably been getting away with abusing students in this way for years. And that is what it is - a form of abuse. Rules and consequences are the usual methodology followed to teach a lesson. This teacher is using intimidation tactics and he does so because he knows he can get away with it.</p>
<p>I would inform the principal, but with the power of the teachers union don’t expect anything to happen. I found this information in a recent case about a pedophile teacher in Seattle:</p>
<p>[Education</a> | School’s culture failed to stop abuser | Seattle Times Newspaper](<a href=“http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/education/2004456273_hill04m.html]Education”>http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/education/2004456273_hill04m.html)</p>
<p>“But under the current teachers’ contract, schools must destroy personnel files at the end of each year and start anew. Only records forwarded to the central office remain.”</p>
<p>
I agree with WCM. And often there is a problem that when things come to he said/she said, the school sides with the teacher, and not the student.</p>
<p>You have a unique situation, where you have a written (by the teacher) proof of his wrongdoing. Not using it will be a disservice to all his future students.</p>
<p>After re-reading your posts it appears you have absolute proof that the teacher gave your D a “B” when she earned an “A.” And that he did it deliberately.</p>
<p>I agree with other posters that your D should apply for a corrected grade as it is a definite error on the teacher’s part and you have the proof in hand.</p>
<p>And I am just a little suspicious that the teacher is waiting to see what your D will do. This sounds more and more like a power play on his part and pure gamesmanship.</p>
<p>jnsq, I think that your next child should have her first choice of a foreign language and should not have to choose a different one to avoid this teacher. This is all the more reason to deal with this problem soon. </p>
<p>I am still having a hard time believing that your school system doesn’t have a firm policy on how to determine the final grade. Our small district has such a policy in place so that everyone knows the system and to prevent such problems as these.</p>
<p>There is so much in life that is unpredictable and complicated, and so much in grading that can be subjective. But a final grade should be one of those “for sure” things. Your coursework grades equal a certain %, and that % equals a certain grade. It’s not rocket science, and most other school systems figured it out long ago, most probably because of student/parent complaints. Your school district should fix this pronto.</p>
<p>Owlice and Dufay, me too! If I were mom, it would take a while for me to calm down enough to be strategic in my response. Hoping that this venue gives jnsq the chance to consider lots of strategies and calmly follow through with the wisest one.</p>
<p>good luck with this!</p>
<p>My husband, daughter and I (and Owlice and esobay & Co., apparently!) are meeting with the principal tomorrow morning. We’ll take tonight to prepare. Wish us godspeed! I’ll let you know what happens. Again, I cannot tell you how much your support and advice has helped. </p>
<p>I realize it is probably too late to help my older daughter, but I hope to spare any future students the same fate. That is the reason my daughter feels compelled to pursue it as well. </p>
<p>gladmom: I, too, wish there was a uniform grading policy at our HS. The teachers have a great deal of autonomy, and for the most part, it works. This particular teacher has told his students he “hates grades” and “enjoys lying to colleges” (giving students grades other than what has been earned) so he is especially haphazard and subjective. I could say so much more about this teacher but to do so could possibly reveal more than I would like.</p>
<p>Has anyone suggested the smarmy approach?</p>
<p>You go with your daughter to talk to the teacher. You say “I’m sure there’s some mistake. My daughter thinks she has an A and you say it’s a B. I’m sure you’ve done everything correctly, but could you please explain how this happened? We hold our daughter to very high standards.”</p>
<p>The teacher will explain the grade. If he explains that it really is an A, you’re done. If he explains how it’s a B and it makes sense (and it might), you’re done. If his explanation is nonsense (your daughter’s contention), then you keep digging and asking “clarification questions.”</p>
<p>“You wanted to teach her that grades weren’t important. I don’t understand. They’re actually quite important. They affect placement in college courses, scholarship funds. Can you please change this to reflect the grade she earned?”</p>
<p>Oddly enough, I am more tired than angry!! I am resentful that this is what we are discussing in our home after four years of consistent, hard work and wonderful accomplishments! The same thought has been running through my mind: “It couldn’t happen to a nicer kid,” meaning my daughter. All she ever wanted to do was figure out how to please the guy and get through the class without being humiliated and embarrassed, two of his favorite tactics. </p>
<p>We cannot talk to the teacher directly because he has left for the summer, though I know where he lives. I mean that as a fact, not a threat; he is still in the local area. Only the administrative staff is at school now.</p>
<p>jnsq, hugs to you and good luck! It angers me that your school does not have firm grading standards, which opens doors to all sorts of grading anarchy and enables the teachers who find happiness in abusing the system!</p>
<p>I don’t think there’s any reason to talk to the teacher at this point. He already expressed his point of view (luckily, in writing).</p>
<p>I’ve got white hats and horses enough for all of us!! Bullwhips, lariats, and raised eyebrows, too! </p>
<p>Wait… no… you’re each on the hook for your own eyebrows; got a little carried away there… but my eyebrows are raised and my nostils are ready to flare if needed!</p>
<p>And heck, I’ll bring doughnuts, too!</p>
<p>jnsq, we’re with you! Mount up, posse, and someone please give jnsq’s D a hand up into the saddle. Yee-HAW! On to the school!!</p>