<p>I DID ask my teacher how to do it the right way after she showed me I initially did it wrong. But this project takes absolutely forever to do and I was exhausted, which is why I wasn't able to get it in by the deadline.</p>
<p>First of all, if you think teachers aren't obligated to change grades, you're not aware of what really goes on with grading in a high school. You have no idea how many grading demands were made on me and the other teachers I worked with, and often teachers were "obligated" to give in - and these grades were for students who did NOT have actual extenuating circumstances like the OP.</p>
<p>Secondly, I think it is obvious the student was making a strong effort - as a former teacher, that is how it would have appeared to me and almost any other teacher I worked with during my career (except for the ones who generally hated their job and hated students). However, most teachers are way overworked, and they are unlikely to volunteer grade changes out of the blue. The thing is, the OP actually attempted to get all the work done without whining about it ahead of time. To me, this earns her points - I had entirely too many students complain that things were "too hard" and that they "wouldn't have time" before they actually made the attempt. The OP sounds like a mature hard working student - that's not the same as the wussiness you are implying. It was not apparent to the OP that she would not get it done to the level she is generally capable of until the actual deadline, which I think is a situation we can all relate too, and if not, those people aren't pushing themselves very hard.</p>
<p>And this is in no way unfair to the other students. First of all, almost all of them had two extra weeks to work (while the OP was in France on a school-sponsored trip). Secondly, ask and you shall receive - those other students did not (we must assume) ask for extensions under extenuating circumstances. While teaching, I learned that "fair" doesn't mean "equal." It means doing what you need to do to make sure everyone has the same shot. Under your logic, extra assistance wouldn't be available because no one else got it. That's silly.</p>
<p>It's funny, but as a teacher I was considered something of a difficult grader, because I expected a lot (and usually got it). But I was always available, and if something was going on in a student's life that meant he/she needed extra help/time/whatever, I was more than happy to oblige if the student was generally a person who worked hard. This is one of those situations. I can't believe you're so callous to an obviously distraught poster that is generally a good student with a real concern who is not making excuses (which she really could, considering how she has described her home life) but trying to get control of a situation that spiraled out of control and wasn't really her fault. And please remember that she's not an adult - maybe an adult would have been more "proactive," as you put it, but give the kid a break, she's 16-17 years old.</p>
<p>oh my gosh i feel so sorry for you. thats effin ridiculous</p>
<p>Keep in mind we are only hearing one side of the story, we're dealing with very limited information and we don't know the entire back story (what's that saying there are 3 sides to every story; yours mine and the truth). </p>
<p>You do not know why the F grade was given on the project. It could have been because the project was turned in late which is unlikely it could have been marked down a grade for being late but it is very unlikely that a failing grade was being given simply for not making the deadline. The grade could have been given because OP demonstrated that they did did not understand the concepts (we don't know because the teacher isn't here to post why s/he gave the grade). Unless this project constituted 1/2 of the student's grade they would not have finished the course with a C- .I know at my D's high school you could not give a student a D or F with out contacting the parents and letting them know, so I have known teachers who got around this by giving a grade of C- because it does not require contacting parents. </p>
<p>
[quote]
First of all, if you think teachers aren't obligated to change grades, you're not aware of what really goes on with grading in a high school. You have no idea how many grading demands were made on me and the other teachers I worked with, and often teachers were "obligated" to give in - and these grades were for students who did NOT have actual extenuating circumstances like the OP.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I do not know where you teach but I know at least for the NYC board of Ed, teachers are required to give the students a grading rubric so that students know the objective criteria used for grading not limited to </p>
<p>examinations
homework
class work
class participation
reports/projects </p>
<p>Each department has a policy that indicates the relative weights of these criteria within the classes in their department. Students receive this policy in a form of a class contract during the first week of classes. Students are required to show these contracts to their parents and return them signed to their teachers. This is to ensure that parents and students are well aware as to what is expected of them and there are no suprises.</p>
<p>IF a teacher can show their grade book and demonstrate that the grade given aligns with the grading rubric given to the students, the grade stands and the union will back the teacher.</p>
<p>If this was the case, the teacher does not have to change the grade or entertain redos. </p>
<p>
[quote]
First of all, almost all of them had two extra weeks to work (while the OP was in France on a school-sponsored trip).
[/quote]
</p>
<p>The OP states Actually, I did get homework before I left from my math, chem, and English teachers, and I managed to make all that stuff up.</p>
<p>"The OP states Actually, I did get homework before I left from my math, chem, and English teachers, and I managed to make all that stuff up."</p>
<p>I don't know how many times I have to repeat myself. I started the homework for those classes, but when I came back the enormous workload from my history class prevented me from making those subjects up to the best of my ability. Also, the homework plan given to us was TENTATIVE, so there was a lot more stuff also given to us when we got back. In the end, because I spent three weeks after the French trip dedicating myself to History, there were mountains and mountains of stuff to do in my other classes. I managed to get most of it done, but seeing that I had to make up entire quarters in less than two weeks, the work sucked and my grades plummeted.</p>
<p>Keep in mind I'm not bloody perfect. I've gone over the scenario in my head countless times and I don't see how I could have found the time to do all that homework and do it well before the quarter ended and still sleep. I also don't know how I could have foreknown all the work that would have gotten dumped on me when I got back. I'm not perfect and I don't think that should cost me my future.</p>
<p>Sybbie, I'm sorry, but I think you're just plain wrong. And I think the poster explained the situation clearly enough without propping herself up to know that this is a pretty good approximation of the truth. This poster came on looking for help, trying to figure out how she can redo the work, and you've basically called her a liar and lazy, while taking her quotes out of context the entire time.</p>
<p>And every place pretty much requires what NYC does. That's the "official" version. The reality is the immense grade pressure, sometimes resulting in the firing of teachers who refuse to play the grade game, that occurs. It happens everywhere, at every level of education, in every state, regardless of race, socioeconomic status, gender, urban/rural/suburban...there are countless scenarios that have been exposed, and it's just the tip of the iceberg. Even tenured teachers give in to avoid the hassle.</p>
<p>What the OP described was how business is done by many teachers in many places. I have seen it personally at 5 different schools, and I have heard about it from teachers at many more. Your D's school may be a special school, but I am betting that the same stuff happens there, it's just covered up better. If not, understand that it's an extremely rare place. And I think you've got quite a bit of chutzpah speculating how this teacher grades and condemning the OP based on your speculations. What you described in your "I doubt this happened" section is absolutely probable based on a lot of scenarios I've seen.</p>
<p>Beginning a math project (that you know would take "days' and "forever") the day before it is due and was worth two test grades was not being proactive. I agree with Sybbie, if you are going to pursue this with the GC and teacher you should do it asap.</p>
<p>Something my history teacher preached to our class throughout the year is "oppertunity cost." When we choose to take advantage of an oppertunity (i.e. trip to France, participating in a particular EC, etc...) there is a cost to our choice, and this cost will affect something in our lives. It's the first law of thermodynamics- matter can neither be created nor destroyed- and it applies to time too. I've had to learn that the hard way this past semester; and although I managed to keep my grades up to my usual standards, I ended up quitting band, which is my top EC activity. (There are a lot of other factors that influenced my band decision as well... including some personal issues with the directors.) You choose to miss school for two weeks to go to France, and this choice ended up taking time and energy away from your school work. Now I understand that you might not have perceived all the consequences of this choice from the beginning, but you should have realized that there would be a lot of makeup work, especially if you are taking AP classes. The last month or so of all my AP classes were chaos, because all of my teachers were scrambling to get everything they needed taught in before the exams in May. Most of my teachers warned us about this, and advised us to study ahead and get some of the work done well in advance so we wouldn't have everything left to do at the last moment.</p>
<p>I guess my point is that this is just a cause-effect, choice-consequence situation, and it's a tough lesson to learn (I know from experience...).</p>
<p>Still, there is no reason to dwell on the "should-haves" and "what if's" because what's done is done. Keep working with your teachers and your GC and definately mention this in your college applications. Honestly though, I think you should accept this and move on. This is one quarter and one set of grades, and it's not going to cost you your entire future. Focus on doing well your senior year, and most importantly, enjoying your last year at home with all your friends and family. There are other factors to your application besides your transcript- essays, interviews, recomendations, etc... Focus on making these reflect you at your very best, and you will be fine.</p>
<p>Deep breath... relax... approach your teacher/gc maturely and calmly, armed with a plan... enjoy NYC (congrats btw!)... and prepare yourself for your Senior year. Don't let this one setback carry over and throw you off with everything else.</p>
<p>My counselor won't be able to meet with me until the 19th. Is this bad?</p>
<p>Why? is GC putting you off for 2 weeks? </p>
<p>Have you been able to talk to the math teacher?</p>
<p>When does your school year end?</p>
<p>Can another ocunselor help you? Let the counseling department know that this is in need of immediate attention, and see if someone else can help you.</p>
<p>My school year ended June 1st.</p>
<p>My GC just plain isnt coming into the office until the 19th.</p>
<p>I guess the teacher is gone for the year also. You may have to escalte this issue to get it resolved before everyone is gone for the summer. </p>
<p>Is your AP or principal still around? </p>
<p>I guess you still don't want to bring your parents in on this.</p>
<p>No, they'd make the situation ten times worse.</p>
<p>I think I might just call my teacher directly. How should I go about talkng to him so I don't sound whiny?</p>
<p>As you know my 4 th quarter grade is not consistent with the level of work I have been doing all year in your class. Explain your situation (what happened upon your return from Europe) </p>
<p>Make your request.</p>
<p>What if anything can you do to raise your grade on this project? Can you turn in additional work?</p>
<p>If you don't know, ask how was this particular project was graded.</p>
<p>Ask how much this project was worth on your 4th quarter grade?</p>
<p>You still want to know: </p>
<p>Overall, what was th objective criteria used in determining your final grade.</p>
<p>Thanks. What if it's for a class where I just didn't have enough time to get everything in?</p>
<p>Just explain briefly how the situation snowballed, don't bash your history teacher, and ask if you can have an extension to redo the project at your ability level. Mention that you have an appointment with your GC on the 19th. Be mature and emphasize that this was a unique situation, that you're not trying to get out of any work, but you would like to show that you can perform at a higher level.</p>
<p>Here's an update on what happened:</p>
<p>I called my History teacher on the fifth and he said it was too late for a redo and said that the other kids who went on the trip (and even some who didn't even go) didn't get everything in either, so it would be unfair to them.</p>
<p>My math teacher e-mailed me back and said she'd be in sometime this week to change my grade. I've checked everyday on the internet and....no change. It's getting really nervwracking. I'm so scared my project got thrown away by a janitor, but she hasn't e-mailed me or anything about it either.</p>
<p>I got my report card last week with the bad grades in and my class rank rank fell 20 spots and my cumulative GPA dropped about .10 points as well. Keep in mind, my school doesn't weight GPAs either. What really worries me though is that my freshman year grades weren't that good, and I started pulling straight A's my sophomore year and first semster Junior year. However, I started out in the hole so this I think this is really going to hurt me.</p>
<p>I talk to my guidance counselor on the 19th but I don't think she'll be much help.</p>
<p>Again, if your guidance counselor isn't any help, I think you should speak to the asistant principal. Saying the other kids on the trip didn't get everything in, either, is not really an excuse not to give you extra time. It's more of a sign that there was a serious problem with the situation as opposed to a serious problem with you. If the history teacher wants to be fair to the other students, she can certainly contact them and give them the opportunity to finish work over the summer, but there is no reason to deny you the chance because others didn't ask for it. It's not logical.</p>
<p>What should I do about that math grade that hasn't been changed yet?</p>