oooh, annoying

topic posted Sun, June 17, 2007 - 10:46 AM by  Melissa, Duc...
I have a student who put in barely any effort this quarter who is currently raising a ruckus about her grade. I've tried explaining her grade to her repeatedly, but she doesn't seem to want to take my explanations seriously.

Any suggestions?
posted by:
Melissa, Duchess of Pie, Beer Goddess
Los Angeles
  • Re: oooh, annoying

    Mon, June 18, 2007 - 4:30 AM
    that's a tough one - but remember this:

    You don't have to explain yourself: you're the teacher. She *earned* her grade, you did not *give* it to her. Have her justify to *you* why she deserves something better than what she earned. Have her collect all her assignments that you returned to her, papers, quizzes, essays, exams, whatever, including a list of days she was absent, and tell her if she can convince you, you'll raise her grade.

    Yeah. I sound real tough, don't I?? Believe me, I am not, but this is the type of advice my boyfriend would give to me if I were in the same situation, and I believe it's good advice. Trouble is, it's hard to follow that advice when you're the one who has to dole out the toughness ...

    Good luck - and if you have a supervisor or department head you can conference with before speaking to the student, that might be helpful -- there's nothing like talking with a colleague to help put stuff like this in perspective. He or she might even have some helpful advice on how to deal with students like this.
    • Re: oooh, annoying

      Mon, June 18, 2007 - 9:28 AM
      Oh, believe me, I do the pedagogical training in my department, and these are all things that I have done already. I repeatedly tell my students that they earn grades, etc. And yet she persists, even though her attendance record and lack of effort speak for themselves.

      I finally threw up my hands and gave it to the course director. Who promptly informed the student that if *she* were giving her a grade, it would be lower than the one I gave her.

      Just frustrating to have a student who, despite all evidence to the contrary, wants to argue that she is a perfect student with a flawless record. Well, that and a couple of days of no sleep, and it seems a bit overwhelming. I'm much better now.

      But thanks, Jess. I needed the reminder!
      • Re: oooh, annoying

        Mon, June 18, 2007 - 9:36 AM
        ohhhh ... I understand now: didn't realize exactly HOW persistent she was being.

        In that case: slash her tires ... ;-)

        I'M KIDDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

        < ------ for those who don't know me at all, I have a twisted, irreverent sense of humor and the occasional unwise lack of restraint that occasionally shocks people ... :)
        • Re: oooh, annoying

          Mon, June 18, 2007 - 10:34 AM
          Twisted and irreverent is good in my book.

          i was considering contacting the president of her sorority, actually.

          What I loved is that this morning, more than a week after the end of the quarter, and almost a week after the final, she finally gave in...sort of. She asked if there was any extra credit she could do.

          I had a good laugh over that one.
          • Re: oooh, annoying

            Mon, June 18, 2007 - 6:13 PM
            Reminds me of one of my favorite scenes in "Clueless"
            *************************************************
            Dad: (looking at report-card) You mean to tell me that you argued your way from a C+ to an A?

            Cher: Totally based on my powers of persuasion.

            Dad: Honey, I couldn't be happier than if they were based on real grades.
            • Re: oooh, annoying

              Tue, June 19, 2007 - 8:27 AM
              I love that scene. Unfortunately for my student, her name is Cher, and she doesn't have nearly the powers of persuasion she needs.

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