Posted on 02/07/2013 2:51:33 AM PST by MacMattico
I guess just looking for a little advice-- and reassurance that I'm doing the right thing.
My daughter has an overall HS average in the 90's. A 74 showed up on her report card, in a subject I am quite familiar with. I was not happy with this grade, as I have actually taught this subject before and was available daily for extra help.
I thought the responsible thing for me to do was to have my daughter approach the teacher, ask for help, go over her grades with her. I couldn't wait for this so I e-mailed the teacher asking for a list of all her grades for the quarter. Just about all of the other teachers provide this anyway. I got an e-mail back saying she had a few 80's, and some 70's that brought her grade down, and I could call if I wanted more information. I said no, I prefer to keep this conversation via e-mail, as I like written records of teacher conversations. BAMM!! This supposed experienced teacher wrote back saying my daughter was an inattentive, uncooperative girl that didn't hand in the final project and missed a test she never made up. She said my daughter acted uncontrollably, constantly laughing hysterically in class even when asked to read a passage or answer a question. There was more and it made my daughter sound like a stark raving lunatic. She said several times my daughter should have been written up, given detention, but she was (the teacher) nice enough not to do this. I was shocked and don't believe her. My daughter has six other teachers during the day. Each gave her rave reviews on her report card: quotes: "outstanding effort" ,"she is a pleasure to have in class", "she is bright, capable and good natured", "she is polite and respectful, a little SHY!" and "shows outstanding interest in subject matter". Needless to say I don't think this teacher saw her report card before giving me her line of BS. I e-mailed back if she deserved to be written up or given detention, it should have been given. And this teacher's policy is to give detention if an assignment is missed. Supposedly my daughter missed a quarter ending important project and didn't take a test! So after this back and forth, my daughter comes home from school. I asked fir her folder for this class-- she hands it to me-- I found the completed project, five pages, 100% correct! I ask again about her missed test. She tells me again she never missed a test. I said were you absent and forgot to make it up-- she's been absent one day, my mother's funeral! My daughter said no test was announced beforehand and she was not told of any test when she asked what she missed after missing one day for a funeral. I believe this teacher, who knew my daughter was at a funeral, used that day against her to claim now (never mentioned when I first asked for grades) that she didn't take an exam! She made my daughter sound crazy because I told her I was forwarding all of the e-mails to the Principal, which I still did because I knew with all of her other grades and comments, no normal person could side with the teacher. So he (Principal) asked if he could meet with my daughter. I said no problem. This school has a policy stating under no circumstances will a teacher be changed. Needless to say, after meeting with my daughter, he offered to change her teacher if nothing improves! But mid year this would change her whole schedule as it is such a small school and this class is only offered a few times. So my daughter went off to class and was probably more diplomatic then I in saying to the teacher, "well here's my project you probably just missed putting the grade in your book." and the teacher says -- no, she won't accept it! She freaking marked the thing already! I am furious! She said because she keeps all tests and quizzes (this is why my daughter had no idea what her test and quiz grades were --another reason I was furious-- how can you learn if you don't get your test back?) She said that she gave all of the students extra time to complete the project, and must have inadvertently handed my daughters back marked and complete. But she hadn't put the grades in her book yet so my daughter needed to "rehand" it in!! Now, if you got a project back with a 100% on it, do you think you would have to give it back? Only those that had not completed them handed them back in, she thought she kept all others. That's her mistake! And because she keeps all tests and quizzes I'm to the point where I think she may throw one of my daughters away to say she didn't do it. She says she keeps them so they can study for the final and she knows they're not lost-- but they don't even see them! She also mentioned other kids in her e-mail, and if I notify these parents, all hell will break loose!
At the start of the conversation, mention you are taking notes and will send a summary email to the principal after the call. Then follow-up, with a request for an acknowledgement.
Sounds like a pretty good response.
I am coming in late on this. What do you want? What will make you happy?
It looks like it is a pissing match now. Lots of discussion on tactics here, but what is the goal?
Most people can tell me in GREAT DETAIL (including me) what we don’t want. It takes clearer thinking to manage toward what you want.
Excellent response!
I understand wanting to handle things by e-mail. I like to do e-mail as well, but I also like to talk so I can react immediately to information.
When i do, I immediately write an e-mail at the end of the conversation, outlining exactly what was said and how I interpreted it, and send the e-mail, to allow them to correct any misconceptions.
Grouchy much?
I am part if the problem? You don’t even know me. But because I had students get their tests signed and RETURN them, I an a horrible person? You have obviously never dates to teach, yet you criticize those who do. Did it ever occur to you that 99 percent if kids just throw the tests away? So I am to copy 40 tests AFTER they’ve been graded and signed because 1 kid may want it? Sheesh! I had parents who copied the tests they signed and kept a copy for themselves, but those were proactive parents who were involved and didn’t expect the teacher to do every little thing.
Seriously, take a pill or something. Attacking someone you don’t know, for something you don’t even understand is very childish. And I am the one who is part of the problem?
Oh and parents were always pleased when they came to discuss their kiddo’s grades and were presented with a very organized folder with all of their child’s tests on display for them to see at a glance.
Well it was a problem in my daughter’s class because they didn’t get their math homework back, had a teacher who was a genius but couldn’t get a concept from her mind to theirs and couldn’t see what they had done wrong. Ever heard of snap scan?
I have never heard of snap can.
Homework is different than tests. Returning it in a timely manner is vital. It’s not always easy to do for the teacher, but it’s very important.
Just because someone knows something doesn’t make them able to teach it. Teaching is a gift. You have it or you don’t. All the education and certification in the world can’t change that. However, teachers can be taught more effective ways to teach. Continuing education is a great way. Communicating with parents is another. I learned a ton just listening to what they had to say.
I no longer teach...now I homeschool my jr high kid and preschooler. I have been AMAZED at how much more attuned I am to his strengths and gaps in learning. We won’t always homeschool, but I recommend it highly. At least for a year or two.
I can’t read that whole thing- but I suggest that you do not sacrifice your child to the school system.
They are not your friends.
Oh sorry, snap scan. It is a very small fast scanner to file for computer.
Yes, the math teacher was the daughter of somebody connected with the school, but all the kids in the class who cared about their grade had tutors too because she just couldn’t get her knowledge across and was in her own world.
Sounds like a really bad teacher who is finally getting caught. You guys are just the vehicles for justice. We’ve been there and done that in a few situations in our lives. Don’t let up you are teaching your daughter a valuable lesson about accountability and also how to be a good parent. She won’t forget what you are doing for her. That teacher will proabbly be reluctant for a in person group meeting. You always haev the local press to use as a back up thrteat - lost stations have a reporter who deals with education. Good luck.
I will have to check into snap can. Hubby has been watching something like that for a while.
As a former teacher, I think too much emphasis is put on grades and not enough on actually learning the material. Kids are so focused on the”grade” that they miss the whole purpose of school. It’s not their fault. It’s the crappy system. I always told them “learn the objective and do the assignments and your grade will automatically come”.
good point
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