https://local12.com/news/nation-wor...didnt-turn-in-their-work-09-25-2018-134627104 School policy is lowest possible grade is 50% even iof no work is done! Incredible
I have worked at schools that made us adhere to that policy. The reasoning is if kids got their act together and decided they wanted to pass, they could not come back from a zero. With a 50, they would not feel quite as helpless and might find the motivation to do better. My experience has been that the students receiving a 50 were no more motivated than if they had a zero.
I believe in not giving zeros. I just think that some US states are so stuck in using averages or weights to calculate grades that this 50% policy seems the only way to create a no zero policy. There are way better no zero policies. I don't average grades. I grade by standard using 1, 2, 3, 4 and then look at what they most consistently and most recently demonstrated. As for the teacher, if her story is true, she wasn't fired for giving a 0. She was fired for failing to follow policies as laid out by her school - which is a perfectly understandable reason. Moreover, there are parts of her story that make me question it (like her years experience and being probationary - why would you leave a non-probationary position for a probationary position in a district whose policies you didn't agree with?) Also her description of the assignment does not sound to me like a well designed assignment. If they had 2 weeks there should have been check ins and consequences (like phone calls home, detentions, etc) if the student did have their prior steps done. If kids have nothing to hand in after 2 weeks of working in my class, that's on me.
"If kids have nothing to hand in after 2 weeks of working in my class, that's on me." LOL. If other people do not do their work, then that is my fault... o-kaaay...
"...no-zero grading policy, written in red in the school’s handbook, stating, “NO ZERO’S – LOWEST POSSIBLE GRADE IS 50%.” Tirado says this sends the wrong message. “If there’s nothing to grade, how can I give somebody a 50 percent?” she asked."
Locally, they have had teachers from the school quoted as saying that giving a zero gives the wrong message because if they have 3 zeros they can never come back (in the realm of grades, so to speak). They also state this has been the school's policy for years.
Maybe they should have thought of the possibility of getting zeros before not turning in the work. Teaching kids they can do absolutely nothing and still get some kind of credit most definitely sends the wrong message. The teacher in question was taking a stand against such a policy in general. I wish I could shake her hand.
If a child puts in no effort and turns in no work, this is the ultimate in irresponsibility. I don't see how this should equal anything but a "0". I understand (although not always agree) rewarding effort, turning at least something in, making mistakes, etc...but no effort and turning nothing in? I don't think any teacher should be made to give points for that.
This is why I accept late work though. If a student wants to scramble last minute and do a ton of work, fine, I'll take it for reduced credit. I'm even okay with a minimum fifty percent if the assignment was at least attempted. But no work should equal no credit.
You are an incredibly sensible person. I wish I worked with you as a colleague as I think you and I would get along great!
