New Teacher At the End of the School Year (Grade Dropped)

My English teacher was absolutely the best teacher ever. However, she has to go on maternity leave during the final marking period. My new teacher’s grading system is unfair. She only entered approximately 10 grades most of it being homework. However, we did do a quiz for a novel which was super easy but the highest grade in the class is 85% and I scored 75%. Not only was it the only quiz grade in the whole marking period, but it also makes up 28.75% of our overall grade. Finals are in 1 week and she absolutely thought us nothing but basically reading a book and examine the theme which my class already knows. We are unprepared for the finals and there are “no” grades.

My previous teacher was known as the strictest teacher English teacher in our school and I always received all A’s all year round as per the class average is a C+ to B. We also do not understand the standards of the new teacher since she is new and that she makes class discussions sound easy but is very unfair in grading.

Should I talk to the new teacher for a curve or perhaps an extra credit (very unlikely she would agree)? Or should I contact my counselor? Thanks!!!

Sorry for my horrible grammar! I was quite angry.

Please reply! I need some advice. Thanks!

If your class already knows how to read a book and discuss the themes why was the highest grade on the quiz only an 85? What’s unfair about her grading?

I don’t understand what you think your counselor can do for you. Have you approached the teacher to ask what you can do better to earn a higher grade? Instead of doing extra work, you should focus on doing better on what’s already been assigned.

There are no opportunities for doing any better! My teacher wants HER interpretation of the themes and ONLY her interpretation. The marking period is ending in 3 school days. There is nothing I could do. She created a false expectation she told me that on my homework I did an excellent job and that my work is brief and thorough. Everyone in class is expecting a 90 or above, but no. Even the kids who usually get A’s has 80% but those who did not read got 80% or 85%. I do not want to get in dept with her weird grading system because I do not even know what she is looking for on the quiz. She is apparently a “college professor” but she keeps pointing out text that is not important to the central theme. Such as in Gatsby, she did not go over the central theme of the American Dream but instead, other minor themes.

Time to grow up. You need to deliver whatever the new teacher expects. Your options are to talk with her, or to your counselor, about your work and grade, if it isn’t already too late.

OMG, the horror. You mean she’s actually pushing you all to delve deeper and not focus on the obvious as covered in SparkNotes? By all means, run to your counselor and the assistant principal and the department chair to complain. If that does not work, get your parents involved, and have them hire a lawyer. Alternatively, you can just do what she expects of you.

Talk to the head of the department…it may be that you are right, or it may be that the teacher is reasonable.

One of mine had that happen. As it turned out the regular teacher turned in the final grade and went back and re- graded and adjusted. D was fine. If you have A going into final 9 weeks you’ll likely be ok.