That is the current question. I have just submitted grades for the Spring semester classes. In one class (upper division, required for the major) I had 3 students fail. Their scores throughout the semester were…marginal, at best. There was a small rally near the end of the semester, but definitely a case of too little too late.
I called the students in to my office, on more than one occasion after the first midterm, to tell them to “get with the program” as they were in danger of failing the class. I tried joking with them and I tried threatening them. In the end, their scores were all below the passing range.
This seems like a fairly straightforward situation. Student does not perform to the standards set forth for the class, student fails. What if the student is supposed to graduate, and failing this course means that they can’t graduate? This is my plight.
Because AUC does not allow D- grades, according to the grading system on my syllabus, a D grade (passing) is a 62.5% or higher. My three students scored 59%, 56% and 49%.
I abhor submitting failing grades. It is the hardest thing for me, when it comes to being a teacher. Yet there is a certain proficiency in the subject matter that is assumed if a student passes the course.
So….Standards? or Bitch?
I know what I think. I think I know what the student thinks.
“Life is hard, let’s bake a cake” 🙁
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Update: one day later
Two of the students have called the Chair, and other faculty in the department to try to get this “fixed” to their satisfaction. Hoo boy!
You’ve done everything reasonable. Let’em make it up in summer school, or, if your boss insists, a rigorous yet fairly quick to do extra credit project? They might as well find out now that actions (or lack thereof)have consequences.
Keep to your guns. You’re right.
Fail them. You aren’t talking pushing them up to a C, you’re talking about managing the minimum standard to pass. It’s on them. Yes, it sucks, but you can’t give them what is the functional equivalent of the students who managed to really pass — or even do well. After all, your classes (and especially if this is something like A&P, are foundational for people who may end up needing those skills and knowledge where people’s lives are at stake. Plus, dude! you have a reputation that you have worked your ass off to keep.
Standards. It sucks to be the first to hold the poor dears to a standard but there you are.
I have to remind my sister, the literature professor, of this every couple of years when she gets stuck with a section of English Comp. If they think it hurts now…
Tough choices, but you made the right one. In fairness to the rest of the class, these students shouldn’t be given a grade that they didn’t earn during the semester. You were clear with them throughout about what was expected, and they chose not to do the work. It seems they have been allowed to slide by before this, and thought they were “special” enough to not have to live up to the standards. Unfortunately, they won’t be able to count on being “special” in the outside world.
What are you hearing from the chair?
Good luck…you’re on the high ground on this one!!!
So students in different parts of the country have trouble with these concepts, eh? Not just HCC students…. peculiar! 🙂
Hang in there, you did the right thing. imagine if the students who did do the work found out that you passed these guys. Better three complaining than the entire class.