Not sure I like this-school assignment--2 UPDATES in OP

[golfgal]

Last week the twins were given a study guide that they were told was a 'cheat' sheet to use on a test. If they completed the sheet, they could use it to help them on the test. Ok, great. DD11 did the sheet, DS11 couldn't find his so he didn't do it. Well, the day of the 'test' comes and the teacher told the kids that 'surprise, that is your test' so if you didn't do the study guide you got a zero (42 points 'test'). This dropped DS11's grade from a 99% A to a C+. I don't think that is really fair. The kids should have been given the option of taking a test. The cheat sheet was not required according to both DS and DD-they have the same teacher, different hours and were both told the same thing. We are chalking it up to 'lesson learned' but it is still frustrating. This teacher has been great all year, sends daily emails about what is going on in class, which also reinforced that the cheat sheet was optional.

This is copied directly from the email:

"Just a few reminders....students have review test on Wednesday covering the unit 1-5 spelling roots and prefixes. They were given a study guide that is identical to the test. If they come into class on Wednesday with that sheet completed they will be allowed to use it on their test. They already were told this. Easy points and I then get them to review and apply them"

Now reading the email again I am wondering if I should say something to the teacher?


**********UPDATE***************

Ok, I emailed the teacher and asked if they would be given the opportunity to take the test if they decided not to do the study guide/cheat sheet. He said the kids were told that they could change the heading on the sheet from study guide to TEST if they had it done and wanted to turn it in that way. If they wanted to take the test they needed to make arrangements with the teacher to do so. I should KNOW better then this and should KNOW to always check with the teacher, oh, well. DS is doing his test today during study hall.

UPDATE 2****

Just got an email from his teacher, he is done with the test, it is graded and recorded in the online grade book, he aced it and didn't study at all this weekend for it because he didn't know he could take the test.

 

[kaitlin-n-mom]

I would definately say something. It would have been different if the sheet was not "Optional".

 

[Sherri]

I took it as the study guide would make their lives easier and a tool they should utilize, but it did not state anywhere that it was mandatory or would count as a grade. I think you should e-mail the teacher about it. That is quite a drop from an A to a high C.

 

[kaw1218]

I would be fuming!!!! The teacher should never had said that it was optional if it wasn't.

 

[Scutapipig]

In my opinion, the teacher was misleading by telling the students they could use the sheet on their test and then not actually giving the test. The teacher did not follow through on her original statement.

 

[*Fantasia*]

She is not being fair. She just can't give "surprises" like that. You just can't base the grade on the "cheat-cheat." Definitely talk to the teacher.

 

[meeskamouska]

I would definitely address this with her....the email states it can be used to help with the test...no that it is part of the test...so not fair!!!

 

[curiouser]

She is not being fair. She just can't give "surprises" like that. You just can't base the grade on the "cheat-cheat." Definitely talk to the teacher.

Aren't pop quizzes surprises, though? We had those all the time in school.

 

[momof2inPA]

I would e-mail her with that quote and ask her why she did that.

She probably ran out of time and didn't make up a test, but I doubt she'll admit that.

 

[Carl]

One question that occurs to me is, if your daughter had the paper, and your son lost his, why didn't you just make a copy of hers? I don't mean with the answers - I mean the blank sheet.

 

[robinb]

I don't know ... it doesn't seem quite fair that your one son wasn't allowed to take the test anyway. Then again, I think the teacher is trying to come up with interesting ways to encourage kids to study. I also don't think that your son's excuse of "I lost it" really holds water since his sister still has her and a copy could have been made. I think he just blew it off and now he's feeling the consequences.

 

[XYSRUS]

Wow, I'd be concerned, too. If it was truly a pop quiz or test, that's one thing. If she stated that this is an optional worksheet, she needs to stick with that. I agree that she probably didn't make up what she originally wanted to do, but will not tell anyone that. If she insists on this trickery during the school year, I would speak with the principal. Most kids try to work hard to get good grades, and to purposely sabotage that is unethical, IMO. I would be really interested in the follow up to this story.

 

[dmslush]

I would e-mail her with that quote and ask her why she did that.

She probably ran out of time and didn't make up a test, but I doubt she'll admit that.

I agree, she probably just didn't have time to make up the test, or she didn't have time for them to get it completed in class.

I would email her and tell her that your child was present and prepared to test, but that he wasn't given that option after being previously informed that particular day was the test day. Then ask her when he can schedule his test for.

 

[Beth76]

Aren't pop quizzes surprises, though? We had those all the time in school.

That's different. Everyone has the same chance with a pop quiz. With this, an optional test prep sheet was all-of-a-sudden turned into a test. I can tell you that If I knew a lot of the material for an upcoming test, I may not do the work on the "cheat" sheet. OP, I wouldn't chalk this up to a "lesson learned". Talk to the teacher.

 

[kimmikayb]

Yes, I think this warrents a conversation. Has your DS tried to ask first? The work sheet was clearly "optional". I think he should have been given the opportunity to take the test. It has affected his grade a lot!

I do wonder, if DD had a copy...why didn't DS just make a copy? Still....I think he should be able to take the test.

 

[jrmasm]

I have an 11 year old. My response to her would have been "I guess you should have done the study guide."

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

I would be talking to the teacher. After reading what your children told you and the email the teacher sent they were clearly given the impression that this cheat sheet was completely optional. To then count it as a test and let an A student go down to a C is not acceptable. I would talk to her in person and bring the email with me.

 

[mytwotinks]

Aren't pop quizzes surprises, though? We had those all the time in school.

Yeah, but when a quiz is given to you, you know that if you turn it in with no answers you will get a zero. The study guide was presented as optional.

 

[beck0321]

The teacher could have at least posted what the true purpose of the study guide was in her email to the parents. That way the parents would know how important it was and make sure their children finish it up and take time to do it correctly.
She shouldn't have "tricked" them about the real purpose of something that was supposedly "optional."

 

[*Fantasia*]

Aren't pop quizzes surprises, though? We had those all the time in school.

Of course!! But not the way she "popped" it! The note states that the "cheat-cheat" can be used for the test. The "cheat-cheat" is not the test! It's a tool to help them with the test. Okay? Didn't you read this part...

"Just a few reminders....students have review test on Wednesday covering the unit 1-5 spelling roots and prefixes. They were given a study guide that is identical to the test. If they come into class on Wednesday with that sheet completed they will be allowed to use it on their test. They already were told this. Easy points and I then get them to review and apply them"