Saturday, December 16, 2006
Double Standard
Dear Guidance Guy,
How does one react to a teacher who has double standards for their students? I have always turned in all my papers, assignments, and projects on time or early. I have not "slacked" on any of my homework and I always give 100%. There are students in my class, not like me, that do their stuff 50% of the time, and some that never do it. These students are always given "extra time" or help, yet my teacher, although she knows I'd do the assignment even better if I had to turn it in late for any reason, never gives me this kind of treatment. For instance, we had a paper to turn in that was required to pass, so even those who don't do their work had to do it. I turned mine in only to find out that I had to bring in copies of my sources. No one had told me and my teacher pointed out that it was in the rubric that she had passed out a month before. I wasn't the only one to make this mistake, but when I asked what I could do she said that it would be an incomplete, meaning my grade could be no higher than a D, if I didn't get my sources in by the next day.
I was thankful she gave me a chance but pointed out that I wouldn't be able to get some of my sources seeing as I had gone to a college library to get the info, yet am not old enough to check out books there. She acted as if I was a failure and proceeded to ask a girl in the classroom if she had heard him say that he wanted the copies. She, having her copies and not being a particularly good friend of mine, said she heard him say it tons of times. Throughout the day however, as I talked to other students in the class, I found out that he only said it once, and that most people only knew because a friend who had the class before told them. Very few remembered it from the rubric. I did all my work, found all the sources I could, and turned it in the very next day, even changing parts of the paper to exclude the sources I couldn't bring in, only to find that a few other people in the class, who never do their work, were being given a week extra to finish their papers and get their sources in for almost full credit.
It wouldn't bother me so much if this didn't always happen in all my classes. I hate when teachers act like "I should know better" just because I usually do everything perfectly. Those failing students know "better" too and should not be given extra privilages when they decide to do something for once. What could I say to a teacher to get them to realize that they should either be harsh to both types of students, or easy to both?
Thanks,
Only Human
*** *** ***
Dear Only Human,
You did an outstanding job explaining your situation. I would imagine you do very well on your written assignments. You're writing about a problem that many students and teachers struggle with: double standards for students who don't put in as much energy and effort into their schoolwork.
How was your relationship with this teacher before this assignment was given? Because it might be a great idea to make an appointment with him, either before or after school and state your case. It looks like you did everything right except for one small part. And it looks to me like the credit you're losing is too much for the mistake you made. I think it's worth pleading your case to him, one on one if possible. If not, bring a parent in on the situation or take the matter to your guidance counselor or principal.
The most important part of this however, is the learning that took place. I'm guessing you learned a lot about whatever the assignment is. This might be a great thing to write about when it's time to write your college essays. What a great topic! Sometimes the grades we get don't reflect what we actually learn. And sometimes we have to correct the system in order to make it work for everyone.
Thanks for a great letter,
The Guidance Guy
How does one react to a teacher who has double standards for their students? I have always turned in all my papers, assignments, and projects on time or early. I have not "slacked" on any of my homework and I always give 100%. There are students in my class, not like me, that do their stuff 50% of the time, and some that never do it. These students are always given "extra time" or help, yet my teacher, although she knows I'd do the assignment even better if I had to turn it in late for any reason, never gives me this kind of treatment. For instance, we had a paper to turn in that was required to pass, so even those who don't do their work had to do it. I turned mine in only to find out that I had to bring in copies of my sources. No one had told me and my teacher pointed out that it was in the rubric that she had passed out a month before. I wasn't the only one to make this mistake, but when I asked what I could do she said that it would be an incomplete, meaning my grade could be no higher than a D, if I didn't get my sources in by the next day.
I was thankful she gave me a chance but pointed out that I wouldn't be able to get some of my sources seeing as I had gone to a college library to get the info, yet am not old enough to check out books there. She acted as if I was a failure and proceeded to ask a girl in the classroom if she had heard him say that he wanted the copies. She, having her copies and not being a particularly good friend of mine, said she heard him say it tons of times. Throughout the day however, as I talked to other students in the class, I found out that he only said it once, and that most people only knew because a friend who had the class before told them. Very few remembered it from the rubric. I did all my work, found all the sources I could, and turned it in the very next day, even changing parts of the paper to exclude the sources I couldn't bring in, only to find that a few other people in the class, who never do their work, were being given a week extra to finish their papers and get their sources in for almost full credit.
It wouldn't bother me so much if this didn't always happen in all my classes. I hate when teachers act like "I should know better" just because I usually do everything perfectly. Those failing students know "better" too and should not be given extra privilages when they decide to do something for once. What could I say to a teacher to get them to realize that they should either be harsh to both types of students, or easy to both?
Thanks,
Only Human
*** *** ***
Dear Only Human,
You did an outstanding job explaining your situation. I would imagine you do very well on your written assignments. You're writing about a problem that many students and teachers struggle with: double standards for students who don't put in as much energy and effort into their schoolwork.
How was your relationship with this teacher before this assignment was given? Because it might be a great idea to make an appointment with him, either before or after school and state your case. It looks like you did everything right except for one small part. And it looks to me like the credit you're losing is too much for the mistake you made. I think it's worth pleading your case to him, one on one if possible. If not, bring a parent in on the situation or take the matter to your guidance counselor or principal.
The most important part of this however, is the learning that took place. I'm guessing you learned a lot about whatever the assignment is. This might be a great thing to write about when it's time to write your college essays. What a great topic! Sometimes the grades we get don't reflect what we actually learn. And sometimes we have to correct the system in order to make it work for everyone.
Thanks for a great letter,
The Guidance Guy
# posted by Larry Hochman : 8:31 AM
