situation

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Home : 2002 : November : 28

situation
By EmmyJ

I just had a similar situation and just stuck to my guns. I give a pretest in spelling on Wed. and if students make 100, they don't have to take it on Fri. However, if they miss even one they retake, then the grade they
get Fri stands. I also have a policy (3rd grade) that if you can't put your name on your paper, then you get 5 points deducted.
I had this little boy (who NEVER gets 100) get 100 on the pretest but no name. After I handed back all papers, I knew it was his. I made him write his name 5 times (as I do with each misspelled word). He couldn't believe I would ask him to do such a thing.

I also told him he would be retaking on Friday. He stated he made 100. I told him no, he had 5 points deducted which does not make a perfect paper. He went home and told his mother.

Of course, she demanded a meeting (just because he is having to retake--but won't show any response to my notes about his very low grades in subjects). She made this big deal about this. I just stuck to my guns, explained the policy, and sorry, but he will be retaking the test. Ofcourse I said this is a nice but firm way.

I would not back down on this. If you do then, she will be expecting it in the future. And, your students will not understand why you did it for him and not them. I tell my kids that it is their responsibilty to get their parent to sign the papers. If mom is busy at that time, then ask again later. If they have misplaced their paper and I get a note from the parent stating that they did in fact see it, then I will accept that. But if it isn't signed, then they take the consequences. I just want my students to become responsible adults and it has to start now.

This is just my point of view, I'm sure there are others. Good Luck in what you choose to do!