I don't understand how one F can make one grade go down to a C

[Mskanga]

DD had a geometry test a few days ago right after we came back from vacation , she got an F on it because the teacher taught those concepts in school while we were on vacation, of course DD did not know it or understand it but she accepted the test anyway.
I waited until the progress report came out and that was yesterday, she's always been an A and B+ student, this time she got a C in math. I called the school and asked the teacher, the teacher claims she did not know that she was absent that week
( I have an educational trip permission signed by her, but that's not the point now ) and she said that the famous "F" test did count for the progress report final grade.
Then she did say that was an unfair "F" and that she will discard that test, re-test her and re-assess and correct the grade.
I have never in the five years she's been in that school complained but I wonder, if you have a student who has an average of A's and B's and then she goes straight to an F, wouldn't you wonder why?
I'm happy with the fact that she is going to be re-assessed and the teacher will correct her mistake but geez, if she saw such a drastic drop in the grade why didn't she pay a little bit more attention?
My dd came home in tears yesterday because she got a C, the first one ever. I know she really pushes herself and to her a C is just not good enough , that's just the way she is.

 

[iluvdisney]

I would go in and personally talk with the teacher and if that doesn't give you the answers you want, go and see her counselor. I've had to challenge a few teachers in the past and have pointed out the teacher's mistake and gotten the grade changed with my kids. You should have received a call of concern or some communication from that teacher IMHO.

 

[December99]

I know what you mean Olga. It happened to Britt last year - she had a 98 (A) going in a subject - got an F on a paper and it dropped her to D. Depends on how far down on the "F" scale the grade is that drops it. In her case she didn't turn her homework in so she got a zero! As the years go on - the rules get tougher. And it's a hard concept to think about - I about died when I had heard this.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

It's a Progress Report - right? What is there to change?. It isn't a permanent grade. It's just a notification sent home to the parents to let them know mid-marking period how the grades look.

Your daughter is lucky to get to retake the test. My son's school wouldn't make a concession like that for a vacation absence. They are expected to return from vacation ready to re-enter the class at the same point all the other students are at.

 

[smileybrat]

if she got a really low f or there haven't been many grades, tests, projects, etc., it can happen. i wouldn't worry about it unless it's near the end of the grading period or it otherwise doesn't make sense.

 

[Briar Rose 7457]

progress reports are sent out precisely for this reason -- to address situations with the student before the marking period ends.

how old is your dd, and why didn't she tell you about the F when she took the test?

 

[year2late]

I don't understand why the teacher would have taught new concepts while your daughter was on vacation. Shame on her.

 

[Mskanga]

Progress reports do come out in the middle of the marking period and it does reflect on the report card besides that it also goes on her record. The teacher called me back though and she said she would re-test her , I'm happy with that.
Toby's friend, I asked the teacher to give her homework before we left and she did not want to, she believes math should be done in school, I have no problem with that however she cannot expect the kids to be at the same level when they miss days , in my dd's case was vacation, other kids are for sicknesses.
In any case, I'm glad I worked it out with the teacher.

 

[December99]

It is a good thing you did work with the teacher on this Olga. I think that's best in everyone's interest!

 

[Mskanga]

Briar Rose, she did tell me about the test right after it happened and I knew because I had to sign it and send it back to the teacher, it just all happened recently but I waited to see what impact it would have on the progress report because I wasn't sure if that particular test would affect it at all.
Year2late, I'm not against the teacher teaching new concepts while students are gone for whatever reason , let's face it , they have a schedule they have to follow but I am against not giving those kids a chance to catch up specially when the teacher does not believe in giving them homework. I'm just angry that the fact that she goes from A's and B's to a straight F and the teacher doesn't even bother to find out what the problem may be, that's what upsets me. DD is very shy and she won't speak up for herself, we have to work on that!

 

[patsal]

If I stoped teaching new concepts for every child that was out for a vacation I'd never get through the curriculum. That the teacher didn't know the child was missing for a whole week concerns me though! I know when my studnets leave and when they return, they are expected to make up all work and if there was a test or is a test on the day they return they are given it a few days later to be sure they grasp the concept they are tested on. A really low F (like a 30 or something averaged with high grades really do bring them down quickly) will kill an average. I wouldn't worry too much if it is the 5 week report though since there will be many more grades to add to the average, if the teacher is willing to let her re-test that is very nice, but not necessary since a family trip is an illegal absance. I have a few students who will be leaving for Florida the first day we return to school after a two week break. They will be given work over break (since they will be home then) which will be do the first day they return from their break. When a child is out for that many days in a row, how could a teacher be expected not to cover new concepts!

 

[grinningghost]

I understand how you feel. It's tough when your child is a good student and suddenly is faced with a bad grade. Same thing with my DD. She's taking algebra a year early and it's been more difficult than she imagined. Last year she had mid to high 90's in math, this year she's mostly low 80's.

DD's average is based on percentages. 50% of the grade is tests, 15% is quizzes, etc. That causes big dips in her average if she blows a major test. I keep on her to do well on her homework, at least that keeps her afloat. Also, her math teacher doesn't issue partial credit on things. The entire problem must be correct or she gets it wrong. That drives her nuts. She'll have the work shown correctly up until some point where she messes up and it counts for nothing.

I do think you did the right thing by calling the teacher. Usually they will work with you and your child if you express sincere interest. Lots of parents don't bother, so the teachers don't either. Good luck to her, she sounds like a bright kid and she'll get things back on track soon.

 

[FOJMO]

Originally posted by patsal
If I stoped teaching new concepts for every child that was out for a vacation I'd never get through the curriculum.
I have a few students who will be leaving for Florida the first day we return to school after a two week break. They will be given work over break (since they will be home then) which will be do the first day they return from their break. When a child is out for that many days in a row, how could a teacher be expected not to cover new concepts!

I am not a teacher, but I can totally understand this. I avoid taking my child out of school AT ALL COSTS. She even told me it's too hard to catch up when she returns, even with makeup work ahead of time. A teacher does have to cover new material and it's hard enough when the absence is unplanned (sickness) much less when its planned (vacation).

Why are students leaving for Florida AFTER having just been off for two weeks. Does that mean they are gone for 3 or 4 weeks (depending on how long their vacation is)? That's unbelievable.

And don't get me started on "educational" vacations. IMHO, unless you're going excavating for fossils, or something substantially educational, I don't see how a trip say, to WDW or a cruise, can be called "educational".

 

[Mskanga]

That is exactly what the teacher said grinninghost, a lot of parents will just accept the grade without caring or questioning. I will question , wether it's fair or not that's another issue but I will question it, that's my job. Too often I see parents who don't care.

 

[apagano]

Mskanga, it is absolutely your right and responsibility as a parent to question how the teacher handled this particuar situation. I just hope that you don't lose sight of the fact that there are lessons that both you and your DD can learn from this experience, and that in the long run this can be a positive learning experience for your daughter.

On a semi-related note, I get the sense that today's teachers are not respected as much as teachers "in my day." When I was a kid, the benefit of the doubt used to always go to the teacher. Now parents are more apt to side with their children over the professionals who are paid to teach them. My boss at work is a retired teacher who has some interesting stories about how parents of his generation would punish their kids when they got bad grades or behavior notes from school, and parents today call the teacher and say "how dare you do this to my child!" I'm not saying that it applies to this particular situation, but it reminds me of the things my boss has told me.

 

[Mskanga]

Fojmo, I don't by any means abuse the time my kids are allowed to take for authorized absence, I only take my kids out of school for 5-6 school days a year because our kids while everyone else gets spring breaks, easter and you name it , our kids only get 3.5 days including the weekend for easter and thanksgiving, no spring break or anything else because of all the snow days we have and it's just not possibe for DH to get vacation during the summer.
Apagano I know exactly what you mean because I see it in school way too often , I did give the teacher the benefit of the doubt and she was the first one to admit her error but also the first one to correct it, DD just got home and told me she got tested again and got a B+ and a revised progress report was given to her, she went from a C to a A- average because of that test alone.

 

[patsal]

FOJMO,
You got it right--out of school for a total of four weeks! They don't want to be on vacation when it is crowded! Gee I wonder who will want to take the blame if the child fails the exam?

MsKanga,
You are right, far too many parents don't question things. I'm always happy to interact with a parent who is concerned about his/her child. Good for you for following up on things. I just sent out 53 five week reports, they were all to be signed--I received 12 back and no follow up phone calls on the conferences I requested. Kudos to you as a concerned parent.

 

[Briar Rose 7457]

Briar Rose, she did tell me about the test right after it happened and I knew because I had to sign it and send it back to the teacher, it just all happened recently but I waited to see what impact it would have on the progress report because I wasn't sure if that particular test would affect it at all.

I would have addressed the grade immediately.

I also agree with you, your dd needs to wrok on speaking up for herself. my 7th grader does not like art class, and is so happy that art is an elective in 8th grade and she won't have to take it. she was so disguested with one of her art projects this year that she never completed it. she got a less than wonderful g4rade in art class that semester, and was embarassed. she went to the teacher and asked what she could do to improve the grade. the teacher was so impressed that she allowed dd to re-do the project and pull up the grade.

 

[Briar Rose 7457]

Briar Rose, she did tell me about the test right after it happened and I knew because I had to sign it and send it back to the teacher, it just all happened recently but I waited to see what impact it would have on the progress report because I wasn't sure if that particular test would affect it at all.

I would have addressed the grade immediately.

I also agree with you, your dd needs to wrok on speaking up for herself. my 7th grader does not like art class, and is so happy that art is an elective in 8th grade and she won't have to take it. she was so disguested with one of her art projects this year that she never completed it. she got a less than wonderful g4rade in art class that semester, and was embarassed. she went to the teacher and asked what she could do to improve the grade. the teacher was so impressed that she allowed dd to re-do the project and pull up the grade.

 

[dennis99ss]

Once again, I am in the minority opinion here.

That was not the kids F. Mom, it was yours! You earned it for her by taking her out of school for vacation.

Oh, but then you went and took care of the problem for her by getting a re-test. I'll bet next year, your pull the child out again, without taking any lesson from this incident. I bet the child learned something.....i.e. it is not good to skip school. (at least that may have been learned, until you came to the rescue and convinced the teacher to give another test.)

Whatever happened to taking the responsibility of ensuring that the child knows what is going on at school when the child is out? I guess that went away with personal responsibility.