Thursday, April 27, 2006
No A's in Yearbook Class
Dear Guidance Guy,
My 8th grade teacher for Yearbook won't give out an A. The highest grade he will give is a B. He said he wants us to have something to achieve. If we get an A, even if we are doing A work, he thinks it will give us the chance to slack off. We won't go the extra to keep up the grade. That is what he says. I am an A student. What can I do to make him understand he is not helping the kids when he thinks like that?
Ivy
*****
Dear Ivy,
I really don't think there's much you will do to make this teacher change his mind. Many teachers are set in their ways as far as grading. I agree with you that he is wrong for not making it possible to get an A in his class. If kids know the best grade they will get is a B, what will stop them from slacking off when they get the B's?
Most of the classes in high school have what are called grading rubrics. That means the teachers say exactly what kind of work and achievement gets you an A, B, C, etc. It looks like that idea hasn't gotten to this teacher yet, and that's unfortunate. Great work should be recognized.
You can always ask your parents to step in, or even ask to see the principal and explain your opinion. Whether or not things change depend on what kind of school you have. Your teacher may not realize the error he is making. Fortunately, you understand it and will continue to strive to do your best in 8th grade and beyond.
Thanks for a great letter,
The Guidance Guy
My 8th grade teacher for Yearbook won't give out an A. The highest grade he will give is a B. He said he wants us to have something to achieve. If we get an A, even if we are doing A work, he thinks it will give us the chance to slack off. We won't go the extra to keep up the grade. That is what he says. I am an A student. What can I do to make him understand he is not helping the kids when he thinks like that?
Ivy
*****
Dear Ivy,
I really don't think there's much you will do to make this teacher change his mind. Many teachers are set in their ways as far as grading. I agree with you that he is wrong for not making it possible to get an A in his class. If kids know the best grade they will get is a B, what will stop them from slacking off when they get the B's?
Most of the classes in high school have what are called grading rubrics. That means the teachers say exactly what kind of work and achievement gets you an A, B, C, etc. It looks like that idea hasn't gotten to this teacher yet, and that's unfortunate. Great work should be recognized.
You can always ask your parents to step in, or even ask to see the principal and explain your opinion. Whether or not things change depend on what kind of school you have. Your teacher may not realize the error he is making. Fortunately, you understand it and will continue to strive to do your best in 8th grade and beyond.
Thanks for a great letter,
The Guidance Guy
