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Ask Judy: Should bad behavior influence grades? |
Dear Judy,
What can I do if a teacher intentionally lowers my son’s grades? He is in the 2nd grade of the gifted and talented class. At the parent teacher conference the teacher said that my son was doing very well – reading on a 3rd grade level, But she did mention some issues with his behavior. When we got the report card, it had only 1′s and 2′s! We think she intentionally lowered his grades because of his behavior. What should we do? Please advise.
Elena
Dear Elena,
The simplest solution is to make an appointment to discuss the report card with the teacher. Most schools use a uniform report card and use specific standards to decide on grades. That is hard in 2nd grade because there are no state standardized tests on which to base a grade. In 2nd grade, however, there are progress assessments to help the teacher form a judgment.
Some teachers and some schools give low grades in the first marking period to give the kids an incentive to work harder. You should find out if that is the policy in your school, or if that was the teacher’s intention. And, ask more specifically about what progress measures the teacher used to give him his grades. Bring the issue to the principal if you get no satisfaction.
Your letter implies that the teacher lowered his grades because of his behavior. This should not be – there are two separate issues here. As the teacher of a gifted class, perhaps she has unrealistic expectations. She should know that lots of young boys have trouble settling down in school; they are naturally active and find it difficult to sit still for long. However, if there is a real problem with your son being disruptive or inattentive, you should work with him and the teacher to address the situation.
He will face all kinds of teachers with all kinds of rules and he has to accept that and adjust to them. If you think the overall tone of the classroom is too strict, consider discussing the problem with other parents in the class so that you can bring many voices to the principal for a discussion of the problem.
Good luck for a more balanced assessment in 2010.
Judy
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I agree with Judy.
I have taught G/T for 10 years now.
If there was a behavior issue, then you should have been made aware of it before the report card.
As a teacher, we are to work with all types of students and have each child succeed on what they are capable of doing.
Wonder if the teacher is not challenging the child enough?
GOOD LUCK! Would like to hear how it turns out!
Comment by Ree — January 6, 2010 @ 12:41 pm
I have a feeling that this has to do with a popular school policy of not allowing a child to obtain higher than a 1 or 2 in the first marking period. A quick inquiry to the teacher or parent coordinator might prove this to be the case. Although this is in my opinion an unfair practice and I have seen it backfire with my own child, at least in finding out the parent can understand why their child received lower than expected grades. Good luck!
Comment by MIddle School Parent — January 6, 2010 @ 2:37 pm
My first question is around your response and follow-up to the information that your son had behavioral issues. Parent/Teacher conferences are about teaming on issues, perhaps the grading was the result of minimal changes from the student and parent.
As an educator, administrator and parent I always ask myself what was my role & what could I have done to improve the issue before I look elsewhere. I have found this practice to be most productive. When I take this approach I find that the teaming/ problem solving greatly improves.
Reflectively,
Steven
Comment by Steven — January 10, 2010 @ 9:12 am
I find the whole notion of grading a 2nd grader ludicrous. What you, the teacher, and the child should focus on is his engagement and progress (both academic and social/emotional)–not what may be (if Judy and a previous poster are correct) contrived numbers anyway. Who cares if he has a 1 or 2? Is class interesting to him? Is he learning and excited about learning? Is he developing positive relationships with peers and adults he encounters at school? That’s what matters!
Comment by kk — January 11, 2010 @ 10:48 pm