<p>Yes, you absolutely need to dispute this. Gather all your facts including dates and anything in writing that you can. Was it in the syllabus that a letter grade would be deducted for every absence over 3? Are there any university-wide policies about attendance that would override this? It seems odd to me that a teacher would even be allowed to attempt such grading, because attendance policies are usually set by a university, and a teacher could easily fail many people that way. For all attendance policies you come across, look for what might qualify as an “excused” absence, and if there are any time restrictions or procedures that a student must adhere to when providing the excuse for the absence. Being in an ER room should not count against a student!</p>
<p>Once you have all the facts and evidence (including ER records), write an email with all relevant attachments (especially prof’s email stating no issue with attendance) to the relevant person. Although your best argument is the teacher’s email stating no problem with attendance if no follow-up email, you will want to bolster that in any way you can if possible, to leave no wiggle room. For example, if it turns out that the teacher overstepped her bounds with this grading policy tied to attendance, include that detail. If the policy was not on the syllabus, include that also. If there is no way to know how many days were missed except through the teacher’s records (which can have errors), include that, and how the teacher did not tell her about the absences. Also double check the dates the teacher says your daughter was absent – was she really? Teachers mark my daughter absent all the time when she was in class, and we have to get it corrected.</p>
<p>Start with the dean of the Art Department, and send your write-up there. If that doesn’t work, then next go to whatever dean supervises that dean, then all the way up the chain as needed. It is important to put this in writing. You can always meet in person or talk on the phone afterward, but start out by putting the entire story in writing, with the evidence attached. Do not give up!</p>
<p>When I was a freshman art major in college, I had a terrible professor do something similar to me – I had an A in the class and was told I was her best student by far, but when I got my grade she had given me a D over some technicality. I was new in college, had never made a bad grade before, and was extremely shy and unable to effectively stand up for myself, and my parents didn’t bother to help stick up for me. Needless to stay I instantly transferred out of art into another department and major, where I made straight As. I’m very different now (learned from mistakes), and have helped my daughter throughout her school years successfully confront power-hungry teachers who try to do things like this.</p>
<p>Good luck! I’m glad your daughter’s health is fine, and that her art is deserving of an A.</p>