Saturday, June 16, 2007
Students Grading Each Other's Projects
Dear Guidance Guy,
One of my child's teachers has a policy of having the students grade each other. I am not opposed to this on things that are multiple choice or true/false, but he has them do it on presentations. My problem with this is that he told me he throws out the really high grades, and the really low ones. He said he "uses his discretion". However, he also has been known to change assignments after they are handed out.
My son recently did a presentation in his class, and because someone else had a video out of the library that he needed, he lost points. He tried to explain to the teacher that he could show this next class, and did the lecture part of his presentation. My son was told he could not show it unless he had it that day. Another child in the class did a powerpoint presentation, but it did not work. He was able to show it a week later. I spoke with the teacher, and I really did not get
very far.
I had written him a letter about this matter, which he told me was "ridiculous." I know I will not get anywhere with the principal, as she protects her teachers no matter what. For a point of reference, I have four children in the public school district, grades 11, 9, 7, and 5, and have only had to contact a teacher a total of three times in all those years. I asked if I could see the grading sheets the other students used to grade my son, and I was told they were "destroyed". I am considering filing a complaint with the state education department, but I am not sure that is the way to go. I just want teachers to realize that having students grade each other is a popularity contest. What do you think?
Disturbed
*** *** ***
Dear Disturbed,
I can see the educational value of having students grade each other, so long as there are very specific criteria (also known as rubrics) and there is strong oversight by the teacher. Because it is such a nonstandard way of grading, common sense would say the grading sheets are kept. Apparently this didn't happen in this situation. My opinion: this was potentially a good idea but poorly executed.
I'm curious...if you've had such limited contact with the schools how do you know the principal will protect the teacher? That would be the next logical step, especially in light of what you wrote about this teacher's policy. It's pretty hard to defend some of these practicies. I would definitely start with her...with the facts, not your opinions.
If that doesn't work the next step is the superintendent of schools, again with all your facts in place. It's always better to go up the ladder step by step. Each step will want to know how you handled it the step before.
Best of Luck,
The Guidance Guy
One of my child's teachers has a policy of having the students grade each other. I am not opposed to this on things that are multiple choice or true/false, but he has them do it on presentations. My problem with this is that he told me he throws out the really high grades, and the really low ones. He said he "uses his discretion". However, he also has been known to change assignments after they are handed out.
My son recently did a presentation in his class, and because someone else had a video out of the library that he needed, he lost points. He tried to explain to the teacher that he could show this next class, and did the lecture part of his presentation. My son was told he could not show it unless he had it that day. Another child in the class did a powerpoint presentation, but it did not work. He was able to show it a week later. I spoke with the teacher, and I really did not get
very far.
I had written him a letter about this matter, which he told me was "ridiculous." I know I will not get anywhere with the principal, as she protects her teachers no matter what. For a point of reference, I have four children in the public school district, grades 11, 9, 7, and 5, and have only had to contact a teacher a total of three times in all those years. I asked if I could see the grading sheets the other students used to grade my son, and I was told they were "destroyed". I am considering filing a complaint with the state education department, but I am not sure that is the way to go. I just want teachers to realize that having students grade each other is a popularity contest. What do you think?
Disturbed
*** *** ***
Dear Disturbed,
I can see the educational value of having students grade each other, so long as there are very specific criteria (also known as rubrics) and there is strong oversight by the teacher. Because it is such a nonstandard way of grading, common sense would say the grading sheets are kept. Apparently this didn't happen in this situation. My opinion: this was potentially a good idea but poorly executed.
I'm curious...if you've had such limited contact with the schools how do you know the principal will protect the teacher? That would be the next logical step, especially in light of what you wrote about this teacher's policy. It's pretty hard to defend some of these practicies. I would definitely start with her...with the facts, not your opinions.
If that doesn't work the next step is the superintendent of schools, again with all your facts in place. It's always better to go up the ladder step by step. Each step will want to know how you handled it the step before.
Best of Luck,
The Guidance Guy
# posted by Larry Hochman : 1:34 PM
