Homeschooling ideas are nice but Ashley will not go for it. She loves going to school and is involved with the JROTC (Army) program and will not give that up.
This school in on the failing list of schools in Georgia (Osborne High School). Can anything from that work for her benefit?
Sorry for the rambiling, I am just sick over this. It is, too late in the year and the school just will not listen to me.
I would suggest talking to somebody over the teacher's head, especially if their are other students in the same situation. Maybe the pricipal, vice-pricipal, advisor, whoever deals with things like this. I wish you luck.
Do they still test kids in government schools??
I just read the last line in your post. It probably isn't too late. The school with throw a fit, but you should be able to insist that she not be penalized for the teacher's mistakes.
The most important thing for her right now is to talk to her and make sure that this screw up does not effect her future outlook and performance. I've seen lots of A students drop to D students after being mistreated academically by a teacher. Make sure she doesn't take a "Why should I try if they are going to treat me like that?" attitude. This is where your parenting skills may prove quite valuable.
...and yes, I agree with Rose. I would definitely go over the teacher's head.
Get together with the other parents whose kids have the same problem and go over the head to Admin.
In a group if possible.
If THAT doesn't help, raise hell with the school board.
Why would you join FR today to post this vanity, does anyone here know who you are and with a screen name like that I doubt you get much help.
Take it up the line -- dept. head, vice principal, principal, superintendent -- if still no justice, write a letter to the Board, then the local paper, then call Hannity.
Speaking as an ex-teacher, I advise you to:
1. Meet with the teacher. Both parents, if possible.
2. If not resolved. meet with principal, again, both parents. The admins will try to outnumber you.
3. If not resolved, get lawyer and meet again with principal.
4. Escalate further up ladder, with lawyer, to supt., then school board if needed.
Be cordial, but firm. Don't give up. Your kid is getting scr*wed because of the school's poor staffing practices and teacher stupidity.
If you want to get a government schools attention. Have an Attorney send a certified letter to the Principal. You'll win
Discuss it with the principal, call up and make an appointment to meet with the principal ASAP
Other than going to the Principle or VP as has been suggested, or to the school board, I can think of nothing else, sorry to say.
Then they ask why do people want to Home School. With incompetent teachers and administrators what other recourse is there. It seems that since the Free wheeling Socialist have taken over there is no common sense or responsibility. The teachers want paid and don't want to do their jobs!
Seems to me, if you could show she was in those classes on the days of the test, they'd have to listen. Do they take attendence ?
It would be impossible not to take the test if she were in class.
If the missing tests were left out of the factor, what would her scores be ?
If they were high enough, it would seem that should be eveidence enough that something is amiss.
You may not like my advice, but I am going to give it to you anyway. Tell your daughter that stuff like this does sometimes happen in life, and that it is unfortunate, but there is always a silver lining.
Get her excited about the opportunity to have a bit of a head's up and review in summer school, and speculate about the advantage this will give her for next year.
With a child this age, it is not the end of the world to have to go to summer school, or get extra tutoring. If she is in a "problematic school", this is probably a blessing in disguise.
The very last thing I would do is to carry on about the lousy school system in front of her. This will just set you up for three more years of problems, and this is the foundation year for her high school success.
If she is a good student, as you say, she will not mind retaking a few tests, as they will not be that difficult for her, and reviewing chapter material isn't the end of the world.
Go camp out in the pricipal's office until you get what you want or are escorted out. If the latter, cheerfully announce that the school board has a nicer office, anyway. Then go there. Your profile says you are creative, well use it!
Don't rant or rave, yet. The principal is the top dog at the school and he is the one that you must convince that a meeting with you is best for him/her. It sounds like so far you have dealt with camp followers. While convincing the Principal to meet with you, also contact the superintendent of schools and the school board. Keep pushing and the door will open.
If there is teacher discontinuity then my first stop is the Principal's office. Demand the written rules covering the situation. If this is a dry hole then you gotta fire up the dist supt. and/or the school board. Make contact with the other involved parents---a group front is always best---if you're not as big as I am. good luck
IMO, you need to consider a two-track strategy here: one with respect to your parental guidance and relationship with Ashley; the other one deals with the "adults".
As for the first track (dealing with Ashley), she is learning an adult lesson early on that life isn't fair. She needs to understand that a 69 is not acceptable; irrespective of whether it's fair or not. Whether it is her fault or not is irrelevant - she needs to understand that she, and only she, is the one that suffers from a 69, and as a result it is incumbent on her to do whatever is necessary to get to her appropriate level of mathematical achievement. From her perspective, she has a job to do, and she needs to do it.
As for the 2nd part, you need to rattle some cages - without Ashley's involvement. I can't stress enough how important it is for her to not perceive you as her rescuer - or for her to get a sense that you are attempting to undermine the teacher's and the school's absolute authority from her perspective.
I suggest a sit-down with the teacher(s) and principal, and the other parents - without the kids. ALL of the parents need to attend - and in proper business dress. This is at least as serious as the most important business transaction we make. And there is strength in numbers. But be subtle, and use your collective strength wisely. Before you all go into outrage mode, listen to what all of the school participants have to say. Let them lay it out logically without interruption; that leads them to be forced to result in a logical conclusion. If you jump into a back and forth argument, it becomes illogical, impulsive, reflexive, and defensive. You may wish to have a meeting with the other parents beforehand (who knows, you might make a few new friends along the way).
Last of all, do not threaten. Instead, be prepared going in. Have a consensus end-game; a mutually agreeable outcome that the parents are willing to accept going into the meeting. Conversely, establish a minimum threshold that you collectively will accept, and be willing to take it to the School Board if it is not achieved. Do NOT back down - either with the knuckleheads at the school, or with your insistence that Ashley comply with the expected standards.
This is a wonderful opportunity for you and Ashley to learn and grow closer together. Good luck, and God bless.
I feel so bad!!! I had a similar situation happen to me in college (lost final that I needed to retake). Here's what I'd do.
A. I'd get documentation of all the coursework, etc. your daughter has done over the past year (any old tests, quizzes, homework, etc. and any record of grades that your daughter may have kept for her own benefit).
B. Have your daughter go talk with the guidance counselor; perhaps he/she could advice her (and you) on the best way to approach the situation and hopefully help her feel better about the situation.
C. Go in and talk to the teacher with your daughter. Bring any tests, etc. you have to support your claim. If the teacher still insists that your daughter retake the tests, insist that the teacher give her enough time and support to do so. Also insist that your daughter's final grade be changed after the tests and that this whole debacle doesn't affect her permanent record.
You actually named your kid Ashley?