This makes me ragey.

LDYGTR13

I found out this weekend that I am extremely happy that we're not going to be living in this school system when we have kids. 

These schools don't give zeros anymore. Not even for high school kids. If you are absent for an assignment/test/project, it can't count against you. You could skip school for every test given and it can't count against you. Also, teachers aren't allowed to give less than a 50% on anything. "Students need to be given the opportunity to bring up their grades, and they can't do that if they are given anything less than a 50%." They are also one of the school districts that does the "No red pens allowed for teachers" thing.

This is just...crazy. How does this teach kids responsibility? How does this teach kids to work for things? I know there are some teachers here, I'd love to hear what you think. It's got to piss you off too...right?

 

mari0225

Wow that's crazy, how can they learn the value of the their work? I remember when I failed a test I worked even harder to do better on the next one.

NicoleSahara

Wow, that is ridiculous!

midgetthemighty

Ummm...what?!?!!

HockeyFan4

ldy, we have had this discussion informally before with teachers, guidance counselors and administrators at my school.  Everyone seems to have a different take on it.

 I have worked out deals with students when approached by admin or a guidance counselor for the student to do extra work to bring up their grade a bit in hopes of them being able to pass for the year, but that is because it was a half year class and the student had legitamate reasons for being out and missing stuff and was willing to work.


It pisses me off.  I have students who have EARNED a 13 for the quarter and that is what grade goes on their report card.

dumdumfroggie

Yeah, this seems to be a growing trend across the country, and it's terrifying!

The US is already behind other developed nations in terms of education, I can't imagine this helping with that.

Also, it's one of my major gripes that students are passed from grade to grade without ever getting the basics, so we end up with all these HS graduates that are still at a third grade reading/writing level.  It's just sad.

dramaqueen91087

Yeah they changed our grading policy this past year to be like that. You can give zeros and actual grades for individual assignments but you can't give less than a 50 for final quarter grades. Its supossed to help kids be able to go to summer school. In my district there are both grade and attendence requirements for summer school. So technically this only helps kids who show up since if they aren't there they still can't do summer school. While over all I think its really stupid I do know a kid it really helped. He's a good kid who comes to class but he has a tough home life and kind of fell off at the end of the year. Because of the 50 rule he can go to summer school. But for a lot of kids its reallt stupid and just shows that they dont need to try. 

Oh and I never grade in red, I use purple. but thats my choice.

mari0225

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_this-makes-me-ragey?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:7590b6f1-292b-49fd-8e29-225f187755ecPost:d6ef93e6-ee5c-411e-8a0d-24104228c262">Re: This makes me ragey.</a>:
[QUOTE]Yeah, this seems to be a growing trend across the country, and it's terrifying! The US is already behind other developed nations in terms of education, I can't imagine this helping with that.<strong> Also, it's one of my major gripes that students are passed from grade to grade without ever getting the basics, so we end up with all these HS graduates that are still at a third grade reading/writing level.  It's just sad.</strong>
Posted by dumdumfroggie[/QUOTE]

H was one of those students, it makes me so angry I could scream. Teacher didn't care and his grandmother who raised him told him he was too stupid to learn so she didn't bother to help him.

Snippylynn

Oh ffs. Why do we take kids out of swaddling if that's what we intend to do to them for the rest of their lives?

Beachy730

My old school district kind of did things like this, and I hated it.  Basically no matter what you earned the first 2 marking periods, the lowest you could get on the report card was a 50.  The last 2 marking periods were fair game though.  So basically kids could skip everyday for the first half of the year and essentially still pass the class.

I absolutely hate No Child Left Behind.  Some kids just don't deserve to pass if they aren't going to put in the effort and try.  I am all for helping out kids who are working hard but struggling.  But all NCLB does is promote laziness and coddling kids.  A kid who passes ONLY because of NCLB is not really any more likely to become a functioning, contributing member of society.  Because bottom of the barrell grades don't get you into college, and a high school diploma doesn't mean shiiit now.  

PetalPockets2012

We had something like this start when I was teaching K and 1st grade. I think it's important to not put the emphasis on grades when they are that age (5-7) but more an emphasis on trying your best, completing your work, etc.

In K-2 it was more of a mastery of material. They would get marked on the standards according to if it was mastered, working toward mastery or if they had no clue. In 3-5th, letter grades are given.

I think that as students grow older they should be held more and more accountable for what they are doing. I think by the time students are in middle or high school, they should be responsible for completing their work and I have no problems with kids failing if they choose not to take tests or do work.

We are setting these kids up to fail if we always allow them additional time to make things up or pass them even if they don't show up. I haven't ever had a job that allowed me to not show up or finish projects/duties whenever I felt like it.

HockeyFan4

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_this-makes-me-ragey?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:7590b6f1-292b-49fd-8e29-225f187755ecPost:5b39a850-9da6-457d-9116-fb9230b1aaea">Re: This makes me ragey.</a>:
[QUOTE]"Here Johnny, I know you talked through my whole lesson but here's an award for doing a great job! No, you can't fail the test where all of your answers were pictures of Spongebob, so I'll just give you a B and say that you're gifted in art."
Posted by lovethebeach16[/QUOTE]


*clears throat*  that is plagiarism and Johnny would get a 0 in my art class.

mari0225

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_this-makes-me-ragey?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:7590b6f1-292b-49fd-8e29-225f187755ecPost:d7fc8373-3bd4-489f-a7c7-00c80a7a8d9d">Re: This makes me ragey.</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: This makes me ragey. : An even bigger WTF and serious side-eye to grandma. I can't believe people actually say stuff like that.
Posted by lovethebeach16[/QUOTE]

Yeah, and he can do Math better than me, but did she ever praise him for that? Of course not. So then he failed out of college because he couldn't understand what he was reading. So now he's going to try and go back, I am so proud of him, he got a 75 on the reading exam to get in!

jesslynn1012

The only thing I agree with in the school district (from your OP) is the no grading in red ink.  I was a good student, and just graduated with my master's degree... but I am also very emotional, and would get so upset in grade school if my work was covered in red.  Pink, purple, green, etc are all better options in my opinion because it shows that the answer is incorrect, but don't have the same "anger" maybe as a red pen:/

LDYGTR13

Mari, I don't understand how your H functions! Reading is just second nature to me now, obviously. If I had problems reading everything over a 3rd grade level, I can't imagine how I'd hold a job or anything. Wow. Poor guy!

midgetthemighty

Mari, your GMIL keeps on getting worse and worse. I'm glad your H found you!

I am now torn between wanting to give up on getting a teaching job completely and getting one right now so I can fight for this crap to not happen at my hypothetical school. I'm leaning really hard towards the latter.

DQ, I would think the better solution for that problem would be to change the rules for getting to go to summer school. At least you can still give less than a 50% on individual assignments.

PetalPockets2012

I also have a problem with NCLB and the expectations that everyone achieve at the same time. There are some people that are never going to be able to read past a 5th grade level. It's just how it is. We all learn at different rates and in different ways and to say that everyone should be on level at the same time is ridiculous.

It doesn't matter how much I study or try, I will never be able to learn certain things. My mind doesn't work that way. Not all of us are going to be physicists. It's ok.

Beachy730

This also contributes to why I think it's BS that high school graduations are still a big deal anymore.  This was on the radio a while ago, and I know Shan had commented on it cause it showed up on my news feed (yep, stalker), but I don't know if it was discussed here.  I think it's a joke that high school graduations get big parties and tons of money.  Graduating from HS is not an accomplishment anymore when everyone who can breathe can basically get a diploma.  Back when people could actually fail out, yes, absolutely celebrate it.  Now you might as well throw a party and give kids money every time they get their license, because that requires more effort and knowledge then getting a diploma anymore.

LDYGTR13

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_this-makes-me-ragey?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:7590b6f1-292b-49fd-8e29-225f187755ecPost:17194930-c4ff-48f5-a407-11fa8296b837">Re: This makes me ragey.</a>:
[QUOTE]The only thing I agree with in the school district (from your OP) is the no grading in red ink.  I was a good student, and just graduated with my master's degree... but I am also very emotional, and would get so upset in grade school if my work was covered in red.  Pink, purple, green, etc are all better options in my opinion because it shows that the answer is incorrect, but don't have the same "anger" maybe as a red pen:/
Posted by jesslynn1012[/QUOTE]
This I just don't get. I'm emotional...I cry at the drop of a hat, but red ink was just a pen color. ?

mari0225

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_this-makes-me-ragey?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:7590b6f1-292b-49fd-8e29-225f187755ecPost:22e9cbe8-bada-4a31-b9d5-2a4a9b6f6031">Re: This makes me ragey.</a>:
[QUOTE]Mari, I don't understand how your H functions! Reading is just second nature to me now, obviously. If I had problems reading everything over a 3rd grade level, I can't imagine how I'd hold a job or anything. Wow. Poor guy!
Posted by LDYGTR13[/QUOTE]

Well he can read, it just takes longer, he works at a deli so right now it's not a problem. We played that Apples to Apples game with my family, I felt so bad he was so embarressed.

We are doing that Echo reading thing, a friend of mine who's a teacher suggested it and it seems to be helping him.

mari0225

Midge I know, trust me I haven't even mentioned the worst things she did to him as a child. I really hate that woman, I know you shouldn't hate anyone but I really hate her. I can deal with her animosity towards me, but the way she treats him and treated him as a child makes me want to kick her hard.

Beachy730

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_this-makes-me-ragey?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:7590b6f1-292b-49fd-8e29-225f187755ecPost:17194930-c4ff-48f5-a407-11fa8296b837">Re: This makes me ragey.</a>:
[QUOTE]The only thing I agree with in the school district (from your OP) is the no grading in red ink.  I was a good student, and just graduated with my master's degree... but I am also very emotional, and would get so upset in grade school if my work was covered in red.  Pink, purple, green, etc are all better options in my opinion because it shows that the answer is incorrect, but don't have the same "anger" maybe as a red pen:/
Posted by jesslynn1012[/QUOTE]

<div>FFS, seriously?  </div><div>
</div><div>Ok if all teachers now corrected in green pen from this point on, eventually green would be forbidden.  I think there is waaayyy too much emphasis put on the color of the corrections.  </div>

mari0225

Yeah I don't get the red pen, I will cry in a heartbeat but red is just a color. If I saw a F on a paper in blue i'd still be upset.

LDYGTR13

Mari, that's great that you're helping him. I just don't understand how he like, reads menus and stuff. That's got to be really hard. I can't imagine looking at something and not have any idea what I'm reading...KWIM? H's grandfather never learned to read, I just can't contemplate never learning. He can hardly even write his name. 

HockeyFan4

With Obama's waiver plans, NCLB has basically been repealed.

Anysunrise

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_this-makes-me-ragey?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:7590b6f1-292b-49fd-8e29-225f187755ecPost:f5130f0f-b053-4b1d-b20d-c3559939e871">Re: This makes me ragey.</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: This makes me ragey. : This I just don't get. I'm emotional...I cry at the drop of a hat, but red ink was just a pen color. ?
Posted by LDYGTR13[/QUOTE]

<div>Yeah, I cry if the hat even looks like it's going to drop, but red never bothered me either. Of course, I didn't actually see a lot of it; that would've required handing stuff in.</div><div>
</div><div>I think if you're going to let kids get a HS diploma for absolutely no work, you should just let them drop out and take the GED, save them some time. </div>

midgetthemighty

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_this-makes-me-ragey?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:7590b6f1-292b-49fd-8e29-225f187755ecPost:f5130f0f-b053-4b1d-b20d-c3559939e871">Re: This makes me ragey.</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: This makes me ragey. : This I just don't get. I'm emotional...I cry at the drop of a hat, but red ink was just a pen color. ?
Posted by LDYGTR13[/QUOTE]

My thoughts exactly. Red is also a color associated with love so think of that? Or just don't think about it at all. It is just a pen color.

On that topic though, one of the schools I student taught at always had us grade papers in Crayola markers. Nothing else.

mari0225

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_this-makes-me-ragey?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:7590b6f1-292b-49fd-8e29-225f187755ecPost:f6b591fe-3ab1-4c2f-a44f-caa32fe0e6d6">Re: This makes me ragey.</a>:
[QUOTE]Mari, that's great that you're helping him. I just don't understand how he like, reads menus and stuff. That's got to be really hard. I can't imagine looking at something and not have any idea what I'm reading...KWIM? H's grandfather never learned to read, I just can't contemplate never learning. He can hardly even write his name. 
Posted by LDYGTR13[/QUOTE]

Yeah it's not easy but i'm working hard to help him. We usually go to resturants over and over, so he knows what's on the menu and just orders the same thing or looks at the picture of the food.

I know what you mean, when we first told me I couldn't believe it. So I asked him to prove it and read one of my books...it was awful I felt like the biggest douche!

dumdumfroggie

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_this-makes-me-ragey?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:7590b6f1-292b-49fd-8e29-225f187755ecPost:2feab074-0b1c-4e12-9834-22937381498c">Re: This makes me ragey.</a>:
[QUOTE]. <strong>On that topic though, one of the schools I student taught at always had us grade papers in Crayola markers. Nothing else.</strong>
Posted by midgetthemighty[/QUOTE]

<div>I don't even understand why this would be a requirement?  Or, why someone would got to the hassle of making an official rule about it.</div><div>
</div><div>As long as the comments/grades are legible, who cares what color or what type of ink it's done in.</div>

midgetthemighty

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_this-makes-me-ragey?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:7590b6f1-292b-49fd-8e29-225f187755ecPost:a882888a-b264-4bbb-bfbe-03a03a184409">Re: This makes me ragey.</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: This makes me ragey. : I don't even understand why this would be a requirement?  Or, why someone would got to the hassle of making an official rule about it. As long as the comments/grades are legible, who cares what color or what type of ink it's done in.
Posted by dumdumfroggie[/QUOTE]

Yeah, it was weird. We could still use red so I'm not really sure what it accomplished.

HockeyFan4

I type all my comments and grades and print them out....I wonder if I could change the font to red on the program I use. hahahahaha