hallawayjoe

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hallawayjoe
Andyland

2003-04-22 11:57 PM
problem students

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I don't have any major problems this semester, but one of my colleagues does. She had a student who was begging her for extra credit, questioning her teacher's competency, and filing a complaint with the English Department. I've had students like that before... in fact I had a couple this semester that I resolved pretty quickly. The root of the problem is our achievement oriented society. We tell students Achieve, Achieve, Achieve. Usually, that involves getting an A, and anything less is unacceptable. This mindset in some students causes stress on unforeseen levels as some are not capable of being Einsteins. For many others like the one mentioned above, it leads to the Election syndrome. Win at any cost. Remember the girl played by Reese Witherspoon? But that just dealt with a student council election... this is a core problem in American education. Grade Inflation. Professors that grade honestly are condemned to dealing with these problem achievers. Students that will stab you in the back for an A. If the teacher gives her a C-- It is not the student's fault... "She didn't like me because I was white, or because I am a conservative... It is the Teacher's vendetta... not my lack of effort.

I have dealt with this a few times... and have come to the conclusion that I will resort to the portfolio system. Students can revise for a better grade as long as they follow directions and do the work. As an adjunct, I can't afford students complaining to the department. The department wants no hassles. They also don't want grade inflation, but no hassles is usually the priority. This means, that I will probably give lots of A's. Some Bs and a few Cs.

For the professor who holds her ground against the whiny student... it will be interesting to see if the department backs her up. I also feel that if a student does the work and produces A level essays after revision, then why not give them an A?
I have a few students who realize that the grades are not so important. But those are rare. Yes... it is important to do your best, and work hard... but life will not suck if you don't get an A... Look at our president. Dare to be average... it just might get you somewhere.

Grading Ideas
Essays

10 essay- Excellent, beyond criteria, no flaws
9 Essay- good comprehension of material, flow and support of ideas strong, few flaws either technical or content wise.
8- Demonstrates knowledge of subject, adequate writing, tends to have many problems using formal language, and contains many flaws

7- Contains numeroous flaws, demonstrates lack of coherency, meets criteria

6. Does not meet criteria, numerous flaws, short, incomplete, lacks proper citation
5- Lacks citation, severely short, does not address criteria.

Any number of flaws, MLA errors, content deficiencies, organizational problems, etc... can reduce an essay's grade.

So you might get an 9, and just have a few spelling errors to take care of. Or you might get an 8 and have spelling errors, and logical inconsistencies.

You might lose points for failing to integrate quotes, or use proper MLA style, or perhaps your bias overwhelms any chance at a persuasive argument and your writing comes off as a rant.

This is not the time or place to force your political or religious views on your readers. Rather you should aim to persuade using friendliness.

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