As reported by tcpalm.com
Treasure Coast HomeroomBy James Kirley
Teachers discuss possible end to ‘zero’ grades
Posted November 17, 2008
Teachers were invited to talk with the School District’s expert on grades Monday after reported concerns that a proposal was being drafted to eliminate grades lower than 50 percent in all St. Lucie County public schools.
The county Classroom Teachers Association arranged Monday’s meetings with Owen Roberts, assistant superintendent for accountability and assessment. The union asked for dialogue after being told by members that school principals have relayed little or no information to teachers about what was being discussed at district offices, said Vicki Rodriguez, union vice president and a former English teacher.
“Our goal was to get some input before they create something that we have to live with or try to change afterwards,” Rodriguez said.
According to a timeline given to School Board members in October, a draft countywide grading policy will be ready by January and sent to the School Board for approval in April.
“We keep hearing that when a student doesn’t complete an assignment, they get a zero; but that under the policy being considered, they’d report a 50,” Rodriguez said.
She spoke Monday, shortly before meetings at the union’s offices were scheduled to begin.
“What we think we’re going to hear is that teachers feel like (a minimum grade of 50) is almost like falsifying a grade, that if there’s a 50 in the books, they did something to earn the 50.”
The public and press were not allowed at the meetings. Both district and union officials said they feared media attention would stiffle what teachers felt free to discuss.
Comments
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Posted by Veronica on November 17, 2008 at 5:25 p.m.
How many employees can not show up for work and earn a paycheck? What kind of message are we sending these kids? No work-no grade.
What about college? College professors aren’t going to be so generous. What a learning, and an expensive one at that, curve!
Posted by jdmark on November 18, 2008 at 5:28 a.m.
As a parent, I want to know if my child did not understand the work, therefore got a 50, or just did not do the work and therefore got a 0. How will parents know the difference? I want to know if my kid is struggling or being lazy.
