Thursday, 03 April 2008
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Grades
Grades have always scared me, even as a student. When I was in school my parents would always tell me, "You better make good grades." In my eyes, whatever I accomplished was all summed up in the final grade.
Today, as a teacher, I know that parents view 'the grade' in much of the same way. When the report cards go home, they want to know what grade that their child "got" (really earned); Whether or not they can use the cell phone is based on the grade.
In the past I felt that there was too much pressure put on making the grade (no pun intended for the grade book software!). My opinion now has changed. I think there should be a balance. An educator must motivate a student and if it is by saying, you need to study to make the grade (hopefully meaning to learn the content), then so be it. Who cares if we put a little pressure on the students to perform. It's not going to hurt them.
What has your experience been like with grading from the students and parents?
Brian
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Comments (9)
I have to do my students' grades too. We have parent conferences next week! So you will know what I'll be doing this weekend!
I think it is only right that parents put consequences and possibly rewards on grades. It galls me that kids can still go wherever they want and do whatever they want and enjoy the same privileges they would if they HAD fulfilled their responsibilities as a student.
Now if we're talking A vs. B, that's perhaps another matter, although if the parents know the child not to be living up to his/her potential, I'm all for repercussions.
And perhaps it would be better for parents to take away privileges based on homework completion and class participation, study time, but I believe the point of grades is to give them a measure they can deal with to make their parenting decisions.
@Mistee815 - GRADING!!
How do your schedule your parent conferences? Are they scheduled on a day specifically set aside for meetings with parents?
@Huerter0 - I agree that it would be better to take away the privileges before the report card comes out while there's still a chance to do the missing work.
What I have experienced though is that it is difficult to communicate on a consistent basis with every single parent about how their child is doing: missing assignments, conduct, etc. Also, parents expect me to contact them first. Shouldn't the parent take the initiative to email and find out about their child instead of assuming there isn't a problem?
Perhaps there is a better system of commnication that I'm not aware of. I really would like to be in contact with my parents more, both for positive and negative reports.
We have an online program where the student's grades are updated biweekly so there is no absolute "surprise" for the parent once the final grades are given. Of 'course there is the couple of parents who don't necessarily keep up with the online monitoring and the panic phone call the week before the end of the grading period.
We also give printed grades 1/2 way through the grading periods. I require my students to get them signed by their parent so, it's certainly not a bigger surprise if they never check the online system. Most of my students are well watched by the ESE dept, counselors, and parents so, I have plenty of communication and consequences. The downside?!?! It takes the motivation out of the student constantly performing. They'll only perform when they know their parents are watching. My recent saying for motivation to perform?!?!?! - "I'm not walking them across the stage at graduation and moving in with them to make sure their bills will be paid. They need to figure out how to do this themselves so they can be successful."@RhoDelta - What online program do you use? I think our district is moving to that but hasn't done it yet.
A colleague of mine has her students keep a grade sheet. When she passes assignments back, she has them write it down on their grade sheet. Then, when parents asks what their child's grade is, she refers them to their grade sheet that they should have up-to-date.
I guess this method would depend on what age of student you taught though.
Thanks for the info.
Brian
I have a wide spectrum of students, which I have assumed is normal. I have students who have parents that I have never spoken to, and I probably never will, and I have students who freak out when they earn a bad grade, and ask for anything they can do to pull it up. It is hard finding a balance between encouraging/helping/letting them make the mistakes. A lot of the time I feel bad if students are not doing well, but then I remember all the chances I gave them to make up their work, etc. and they just sat there, so then I have to let it go, otherwise I would be feeling bad all the time!
@snowchic23 - I have felt the same way; I want my students to perform well but if when they don't put forth the effort to work and earn their grade, I do my best to not think it is my fault! Maybe we should make a tshirt that says..."It's not the teacher's fault!"
Haha, that would be great! My freshman are especially lazy (for lack of a better word) this year. This is the first time I've taugh freshman, so it is a whole new experience for me...