Teacher lost DD's test & wants her to retake it - what do you think? UPDATE!

[MELSMICE]

My DD was out sick the Tues. & Wed. before Thanksgiving. She missed a Spanish test. Last week she made up the test after school. Two days later the teacher told her that she had lost the test. She thought DD got 100%, couldn't be totally sure, but said because she lost it (the teacher) she would give DD 100%. Okay - sounds right - the teacher is the one that lost the test.

DD comes home today & says the teacher wants her to retake the test tomorrow after school. Here's my dillema (sp?) with the whole thing:

- the teacher lost the test and the then told DD she would give her a 100%

- after school tomorrow I was going to pick my DD's up at 2:00 & bring them home to get homework done because one DD has to be back at school at 3:30 for basketball practice. If I pick up Bball DD at 2:00 I will get home at 2:15, I will turn around to pick up test DD at 2:30, get home at 2:45, make sure older DD gets home between 3-3:15 & take bball DD back to school at 3:15 for bball practice at 3:30. So...........having her retake this test tomorrow just doesn't fit well with our schedule.

- As of right now I wrote the teacher a note saying that DD was unable to take the test after school tomorrow & also stating that I thought she already took the test after school last week.

What do you think? Do you think DD should have to retake the test over? Also, I told DD if the teacher insists she retake it then she'll have to do it in a study hall. She can't stay after the rest of the week because we have other commitments. Do you think I should question the teacher more about it or let DD handle it with the teacher herself (she is in 7th grade).

Opinions?

 

[disykat]

- As of right now I wrote the teacher a note saying that DD was unable to take the test after school tomorrow & also stating that I thought she already took the test after school last week.

Sounds good so far. Hopefully your dd can handle it from here. It seems odd that she's making her retake it. I'm guessing your dd has been doing well in the class since she thought she had 100% - it seems like she'd give her the benefit of the doubt. It was her mistake, so if she feels it needs to be retaken she should be going out of her way to make it convenient.

 

[elastigirl]

I would question it. If she lost it, that's okay. Mistakes happen. But for her to take back her original solution is not cool.

 

[clh2]

It's tough enough to come back after a 2-day illness, plus a 4-day holiday weekend, play catch-up in all subjects - not just Spanish. Now the teacher wants her to take a make-up test for the make-up test?

Most likely - this class has progressed through a whole different chapter, so she would be going back to material that was taught (I'm doing fast math here) 3 weeks ago.

I don't care what my score would have been the first time around. Even if she would have scored a 100% - that simply is not a guarantee it will happen the 2nd time around.

I don't think you should be letting your daughter handle this alone.

 

[mrsgus06]

If your dd lost her homework, the teacher would give her a zero, because it is your dd's responsibility to turn her work in. I think if the teacher lost your dd's test, she is not living up to her responsibility as the teacher. My three older girls are in school and responsibility is stressed at school. Why can't the teacher practice what she preaches? Give your dd a 100 and admit her mistake.

 

[RRBB]

I don't think your DD should have to retake the test since the teacher is the one that lost it AND she already told your DD that she'd graded it/what the grade was. The teacher should just go by what she remembers and move on. It is NOT your DD's fault that her teacher lost her work. And your DD should not be punished for the teacher's irresponsibility. Because to me, making a student retake a test that the teacher lost is not fair to the student.

 

[rubyslipperlover]

if the teacher had lost the test before grading it, she'd have no basis to give your dd any sort of grade, and I could see the need to retake the test. that the teacher was irresponsible would be painful but the reality is, it's the teacher's classroom and she needs an objective basis for awarding a grade. in effect, the other students would be "penalized" for having been in class and having taken the test as scheduled.

having graded the test and conveyed that information to your dd, however, I think she's morally bound by it. if she insists that your dd retake the test, however, I don't think there's much you can do -- she would be justified in giving a zero for the grade -- unfair, but that's reality. an alternate time should be arranged, however, to suit your dd's convenience, since this situation arose because of the teacher's mistake.

as for material that was taught three weeks ago -- foreign alngugage is built on what went before, so more likely your dd would know the material better now than three weeks ago.

 

[jgmklmhem]

Having been a TA in graduate school it was our department's policy that if I or a professor lost a test no matter how unfair it might be to the other students the student whose assignment was lost got full credit assuming I knew it was turned in. It doesn't really penalize the other students all that much because now a days curves are used less and less especially at that age and each student's grade is an individual assessment of that student and it doesn't usually reflect on the other students. I think even if the teacher hadn't made the "deal" she should have to give full credit due to her losing the test. Your daughter was not at fault and shouldn't be penalized for it. Another solution is for the teacher just to not count that test towards your daughter's grade. Just remove those points from the whole final grading. So say there are three tests worth 100 points each (total attainable points 300). Your daughter would just take her other scores and her grade would be taken out of 200 since a test is missing.

 

[eeyore kelly]

And your DD should not be punished for the teacher's irresponsibility

I would email the teacher, explain that my dd has already taken that test, and innocently ask where does the admistration stand on this? That will get your DD her 100% quick.

 

[poohandwendy]

I would say:

"You are not seriously suggesting that my DD should retake a test, one that you told her she would not have to retake and received a 100% on, because of your error, are you?"

 

[MELSMICE]

Thanks for your thoughts on this. I kept thinking about this all night long & wondering if I should just have DD retake the test - although I really didn't think that was right. I realize mistakes happen, things get lost, but I also feel, as many of you said, there is a responisibility on the teacher's part.

I'm picking up DD's at 2 p.m. today, & I'll make sure to find out what happened.

 

[CRB#33]

Personally, I don't think your child should have to take the test and that this test grade should not be incorporated into the final grade.

I absolutely HATE when a teacher does something like this. It's the height of unorganization and irresponsibility. The child suffers for the teacher's mistake. IMO, when a teacher makes a mistake, they should bear the responsibility and suffer the consequences. After all, that's what we try to teach our children about responsibility.

Good luck. The teacher will probably stick to her guns however and there probably isn't much you can do.

 

[Cheap-n-Dale]

I think there are 2 separate issues here. The first is that that teacher lost the test, and then made an inappropriate statement that “I think you made 100%”. For that, your DD deserves and explanation and an apology.

The second issue is that regardless of whose fault it is, there is no documented evidence of the student’s proficiency of the subject matter. ( i.e. a test). Therefore, I think she should have to retake the test. I believe that given the circumstances, the teacher needs to take every possible measure to accommodate your DD’s schedule, and also give extra time to re-prepare. I also like the idea of not counting the test at all. Although, that could work to your DD’s disadvantage in the long run. I don’t agree that she should just get 100% for the test. If you can let go for a moment that school isn’t all about grades, but about learning and demonstrating mastery of the subject matter, then giving 100% isn’t helpful. Even given the fact that in all likelihood she has already earned it.

Sounds like your DD is a smart kid. Hopefully, she can just whip out another 100% and you won’t need to press this issue further.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Go to bat for your dd and hold the teacher to her original agreement. Most certainly if the shoe was on the other foot they would do the same.

 

[MUFFYCAT]

I wouldn't have your DD take the test. The teacher made a mistake, why should your DD pay for it? I 'd call the teacher and Prinicipal to make a complaint. It's obvious your DD knew the work if she "thinks" she got a 100%.

I'm getting annoyed just hearing your story. It would not sit well with me at all. Your DD should get 100%!! this type of teacher should be notified by the Prinicipal.

 

[Disney1fan2002]

I think there are 2 separate issues here. The first is that that teacher lost the test, and then made an inappropriate statement that “I think you made 100%”. For that, your DD deserves and explanation and an apology.

The second issue is that regardless of whose fault it is, there is no documented evidence of the student’s proficiency of the subject matter. ( i.e. a test). Therefore, I think she should have to retake the test. I believe that given the circumstances, the teacher needs to take every possible measure to accommodate your DD’s schedule, and also give extra time to re-prepare. I also like the idea of not counting the test at all. Although, that could work to your DD’s disadvantage in the long run. I don’t agree that she should just get 100% for the test. If you can let go for a moment that school isn’t all about grades, but about learning and demonstrating mastery of the subject matter, then giving 100% isn’t helpful. Even given the fact that in all likelihood she has already earned it.

Sounds like your DD is a smart kid. Hopefully, she can just whip out another 100% and you won’t need to press this issue further.

I don't agree with this. I don't think learning should be all about testing. If the teacher knows the student, then the teacher can have a pretty good idea on how this student does on tests. If the teacher said "I think you got 100%" and I am going to assume this was a statement made without the teacher actually grading the test (because if she graded it, I would hope she would of marked her grade before she lost the test, and if that was the case, the grade is recorded, no need to re-take it). If the teacher can guess at the 100%, why have the kid retake the test, just give her the 100%. I would even take a 90-95% heck.

For this girl to retake the test, a certain amount of studying will be going into prepping for it. That studying will be taking away from any other studying or work she has to get down for the week. I think it is grossly unfair to ask a kid who already took a test, already did a pretty good job on it, to be asked to take it agian, through no fault of their own.

Let me ask you, if you gave me $5 to go to the store and pick up a gallon of milk for you, and on the way to the store, I lost the $5, then according to your example about the test, you should have to give me another $5 so I can buy your milk. Is THAT fair?

 

[MUFFYCAT]

Let me ask you, if you gave me $5 to go to the store and pick up a gallon of milk for you, and on the way to the store, I lost the $5, then according to your example about the test, you should have to give me another $5 so I can buy your milk. Is THAT fair?

You're right! That's a good comparison. Your DD should get A on that test.

 

[Lachesis00]

Good luck!!! I hope she doesn't have to retest or a compromise should be made.

 

[MELSMICE]

UPDATE: Picked DD up from school today & asked what happened with the Spanish test. She said she "forgot" to give the teacher the note but told her she couldn't stay after school. Said the teacher told her she could take the test tomorrow during flex (study hall).

I thought about it on the way home & decided to call the teacher when we got home. Conversation went something like this:

Me: "I'm just calling because Ashlyn told me she has to retake a test that she already took".

Teacher: "I lost her original test & I gave her the option to retake the test & she said she would".

Me: "She did tell me the test was lost. For some reason then I think she is afraid to tell you that she really doesn't want to retake the test because that is what she told me".

Teacher: "That is fine if she doesn't want to take the test. I just won't count it towards her grade".

Me: "Thank you very much. I completely understand how things get misplaced or lost & I just didn't think it was right that she should have to retake a test that she already took. I'll tell her she doesn't have to redo it".

Teacher: "I'll tell her tomorrow also".

The teacher was fine about it on the phone, however, she did sound nervous on the phone for some reason & a little surprised that I called. My DD still claims that the teacher never gave her the option to take the test but said she HAD to retake it. Whatever!!

Anyway, I am glad I called the teacher & am glad she doesn't have to retake the test. I don't think that would have been fair to her. Thanks again for all your comments.

 

[tar heel]

You know, given that the teacher "thinks" she made a 100, it really isn't fair for the test not to count. What if she ended up just short of an A.

We've had so many teacher to lose things. Last year, my high school student got an F on his mid-term report for one of his classes. He had like three zeros. His teacher had huge piles of papers on her desk and (probably) at home, too. Once she had found the assignments he had already turned in, he had a B. Why she distriubted grades with zeros counted in is beyond me.