whoisjohngalt
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Post by whoisjohngalt on Jul 27, 2012 9:59:14 GMT -5
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swamp
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Post by swamp on Jul 27, 2012 10:04:39 GMT -5
I think that he's already got a perfect grade. WTF cares?
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NomoreDramaQ1015
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Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Jul 27, 2012 10:05:38 GMT -5
claims that he has suffered severe physical suffering, Anyhoo after reading the article it does say the teacher agreed to allow him to make up the lab, that the absence had been discussed up front. Then he changed his mind when the student arrived. I would just eat the C+ myself. If the kid is good enough to get a 106% then odds are his GPA didn't suffer THAT much because of t his one grade in one class. If I was the parent I would probably go up and talk to the principal about the situation. I don't understand agreeing to let someone make-up a lab and then deciding the day of the make-up too bad so sad you fail. I'd want to know the teacher's reasoning.
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Jul 27, 2012 10:08:56 GMT -5
How does a single missed lab drop an A+ to a C+? Something else is going on in this story that isn't being published.
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Post by BeenThere...DoneThat... on Jul 27, 2012 10:09:06 GMT -5
...I'll agree, Lena... have been waffling on getting my teaching certs for years... in part, due to stories like these... one day, I'll have to fish or cut bait...
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Peace77
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Post by Peace77 on Jul 27, 2012 10:10:33 GMT -5
The teacher should have kept her promise to allow him to make up the missed work. It was an excused absence. Instead she makes it a lab day and won't allow the work to be made up. Why? That's unfair to drop the kid's grade from an A+ to a C+.
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Miss Tequila
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Post by Miss Tequila on Jul 27, 2012 10:11:37 GMT -5
I am usually on the side of the teacher...but if I read the article right (and I only skimmed it!lol) he had a grade of 106 but wound up with a grade of C+ because of one absence..which was excused! I'd be pissed, too...this is not some jerkoff kid who doesn't are...this is obviously a child who works his butt off and he earned an A+.
As a parent, I'd probably be more along the lines of "the world isn't always fair...teacher was an idiot and not much we can do about it"...but I can see why his parents would go after the school.
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deantrip
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Post by deantrip on Jul 27, 2012 10:11:47 GMT -5
Interesting, according to the claimants, the school was going to let him make up the lab due to a pre-approved absence, then did a 180 on him. If that is truly the case, then I think the suit has merit, if that is not the case, then I think the suit is frivolous, hard to say.
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Miss Tequila
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Post by Miss Tequila on Jul 27, 2012 10:13:37 GMT -5
"Interesting, according to the claimants, the school was going to let him make up the lab due to a pre-approved absence, then did a 180 on him. If that is truly the case, then I think the suit has merit, if that is not the case, then I think the suit is frivolous, hard to say. "
And he made arrangements before he missed the day..showing that he is a responsible kid. I realize we are only hearing his side of the story, but it sounds like the teacher was being difficult for no reason. And to go from an A+ to a C+ for missig one day (that was excused) seems beyond harsh to me.
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whoisjohngalt
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Post by whoisjohngalt on Jul 27, 2012 10:13:41 GMT -5
OK, so you guys know I didn't really go through US school system, how likely is it really to happen for a school to do 180 like that? Especially for a student who was a hard-working, good student the whole time???
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swamp
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Post by swamp on Jul 27, 2012 10:14:50 GMT -5
OK, so you guys know I didn't really go through US school system, how likely is it really to happen for a school to do 180 like that? Especially for a student who was a hard-working, good student the whole time??? I guess it depends on the school. the schools i went to were very good about keeping their word, and still are.
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Miss Tequila
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Post by Miss Tequila on Jul 27, 2012 10:17:13 GMT -5
"I guess it depends on the school. the schools i went to were very good about keeping their word, and still are. "
But it's not the school, it is the teacher. Let's face it, some people are just freakign difficult. Or the kid could be lying...but he sounds like an over achiever so I am tending to believe him.....
Granted, I didn't see the lawsuit...I am hoping they are only suing to get his grade changed...if they are suing for money and damages then I think I would change my mind
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whoisjohngalt
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Post by whoisjohngalt on Jul 27, 2012 10:18:30 GMT -5
And I actually think the opposite - he has more to loose, which would make me think he would lie lie lie.
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NomoreDramaQ1015
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Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Jul 27, 2012 10:20:49 GMT -5
Mine were all pretty good but like Tina said it isn't the school, it is the one individual teacher. Which is why I'd request a meeting with the principal so I could find out what is going on. I'd want to know what warranted the change of heart on the teacher's part.
Then depending on the answer I'd go from there.
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deantrip
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Post by deantrip on Jul 27, 2012 10:25:34 GMT -5
OK, so you guys know I didn't really go through US school system, how likely is it really to happen for a school to do 180 like that? Especially for a student who was a hard-working, good student the whole time??? I've had it happen to me, one year in health class, we were able to review journals for bonus credits, myself and another kid only reviewed a couple of articles as we didn't need the bonus, then at the end of the term it was switched up on us as mandatory based on the average # of articles submitted by the class, which lowered our grade considerably. It never made it to my parents, but we tore into that teacher hard, next term in the class, we went off a contract basis with signed contracts stating how many articles, etc were required for what grades. Also had one teacher try to dock my grade for turning in an assignment the next day after it was due, because I was on a school function the day it was due and she wasn't around for me to turn it in before hand.
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Jul 27, 2012 10:33:32 GMT -5
Teachers are fallable - just like other people. I've certainly met my share of bitter, foul teachers who really should leave the profession because they don't like their jobs and it is palpable.
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Wisconsin Beth
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Post by Wisconsin Beth on Jul 27, 2012 10:44:58 GMT -5
from the article.
The Bethards are requesting in the lawsuit, which names the district superintendent and school principal in addition to Carlock, that, along with the monetary damages, the district change the grade to an A+.
"We did everything we could to get the school to allow him to make up that lab and they assured us they would," Bethards said. " It was an excused absence. I don't think he missed more than one or two days the entire year before that."
The suit says Carlock's refusal to allow the teen to make up the lab violated California Education Code Section 88205. The missed lab, according to Bethards, dropped his overall grade from an A+ to a C+.
Court documents filed on Bethards' behalf also state that, "Carlock was aware, at all relevant times, that a 'C+' in chemistry would effectively destroy plaintiff Bowen Bethards' chances of being accepted to either of his two colleges of choice, as well as his chances of getting a scholarship to attend to the programs of his choice."
"He had his grade taken away from him and got a C instead of the A that he'd worked so hard all year long to achieve by a teacher who, I discovered, had a habit of doing this to students," Bethards said. "This is a kid who worked every day, worked on the weekends, studied and had earned his grade in chemistry."
edited to fix bolding.
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Miss Tequila
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Post by Miss Tequila on Jul 27, 2012 10:47:37 GMT -5
ok...I disagree with suing for monetary damages. I was not an overachiever in high school (shockinig!lol) so I do not nkow the impact of a C+ for a sophomore, but if that really could keep him out of elite schools and what he says is true, then I would probably do what the parents are doing but only sue for a change in grade...suing for money screams "greed" to me.
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deantrip
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Post by deantrip on Jul 27, 2012 10:48:23 GMT -5
If the kid is truly distressed this badly over one bad grade though, I feel sorry for him, as life will probably come along at some point and hand him some truly distressing points and he might not be able to cope.
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Wisconsin Beth
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Post by Wisconsin Beth on Jul 27, 2012 10:50:04 GMT -5
Yeah, I'm having an issue with the monetary damages part too. I can rationalize a few grand to deal with transcripts and explaining to the colleges type stuff. But you don't know he's going to get scholarships or for how much. But if it's lots of money, that's wrong.
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Miss Tequila
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Post by Miss Tequila on Jul 27, 2012 10:51:27 GMT -5
"If the kid is truly distressed this badly over one bad grade though, I feel sorry for him, as life will probably come along at some point and hand him some truly distressing points and he might not be able to cope. " Meh, dont all attorneys put that kind of verbiage in their lawsuits... Does anyone know if that one bad grade can truly keep him back from a good college? I started at community college, where the only criteria is that you have a pulse
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Jul 27, 2012 10:54:59 GMT -5
It could keep you from certain colleges or getting a certain scholarship. Without knowing all the details, I can't really comment but I do know that grades can be changed by the principal so this student has an OUT. I'd love to hear the teachers side.
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Miss Tequila
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Post by Miss Tequila on Jul 27, 2012 10:59:12 GMT -5
"I'd love to hear the teachers side"
Me too...
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Jul 27, 2012 11:06:25 GMT -5
Look at that kid - what else does he have going for him except a perfect GPA?
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Miss Tequila
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Post by Miss Tequila on Jul 27, 2012 11:11:17 GMT -5
"what else does he have going for him except a perfect GPA? "
LOL!! That's exactly what I was thinking...
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Jul 27, 2012 11:24:47 GMT -5
MissT - we are mean people. I like that about you.
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shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on Jul 27, 2012 11:28:57 GMT -5
I think there's a problem if the teacher assured the student and the parents that he would be able to make up the lab and then changed her mind. I could see that happening if she thought she had evidence that the student had gotten information from classmates that would allow him to "cheat" in the lab, but I have no idea what kind of lab it was. Most of my chemistry labs, we had detailed instructions for what to do, so there couldn't have been cheating. At the same time, if this ONE lap was worth roughly 25% of his entire grade (which it would need to be to bring an A down to a C), then it wasn't just a lab- it was a major test of some sort. If the teacher thought he had gotten answers from other students, then I can't blame the teacher- though I'd think the teacher would need to present evidence of cheating to the school and the parents at that point.
I did have a teacher in college, who, first day of class, before he handed out the syllabus, stated that he did not believe in make up tests, or taking tests in advance basically because he believed all students cheated. He said a student who took a test in advance would give the anwers to the rest of the students and a student taking a make up exam would get the answers from the rest of the students. (And this was a 400 level English course, where there weren't exactly right/wrong answers- it was all essays.) He says the only excuse is if you or a close family member is in the process of dying, and that he would call the hospital to check. Now, I knew I would have to miss one day of class because I was going to be Maid of Honor in a wedding, but I didn't think it would be a big deal. Then the syllabus got handed out. Test on the day of the wedding. After class, I went to talk to the teacher. He asked what time the wedding was- not at the same time as class. I needed to be there or get a 0 on the test. I reminded the teacher the week before that I would arrive to the test wearing a bridesmaid's dress, not because I was being disruptive, but because I'd be leaving the reception (in the middle) to come take the test. And that's what I did. I wasn't the only one who had an issue during the semester. We had one guy show up to a test with his own private garbage can because he was really sick, but not in the hospital, and therefore, wouldn't be allowed to make up the test if he stayed home. I should add that this was a night class, so filled with non-traditional students- parents, people with full time jobs, etc -so people more likely to have to miss a class for some reason, and, in my mind, less likely to be sharing test answers. Very glad I only had one teacher like that.
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Post by BeenThere...DoneThat... on Jul 27, 2012 11:33:41 GMT -5
I think there's a problem if the teacher assured the student and the parents that he would be able to make up the lab and then changed her mind. I could see that happening if she thought she had evidence that the student had gotten information from classmates that would allow him to "cheat" in the lab, but I have no idea what kind of lab it was. Most of my chemistry labs, we had detailed instructions for what to do, so there couldn't have been cheating. At the same time, if this ONE lap was worth roughly 25% of his entire grade (which it would need to be to bring an A down to a C), then it wasn't just a lab- it was a major test of some sort. If the teacher thought he had gotten answers from other students, then I can't blame the teacher- though I'd think the teacher would need to present evidence of cheating to the school and the parents at that point. I did have a teacher in college, who, first day of class, before he handed out the syllabus, stated that he did not believe in make up tests, or taking tests in advance basically because he believed all students cheated. He said a student who took a test in advance would give the anwers to the rest of the students and a student taking a make up exam would get the answers from the rest of the students. (And this was a 400 level English course, where there weren't exactly right/wrong answers- it was all essays.) He says the only excuse is if you or a close family member is in the process of dying, and that he would call the hospital to check. Now, I knew I would have to miss one day of class because I was going to be Maid of Honor in a wedding, but I didn't think it would be a big deal. Then the syllabus got handed out. Test on the day of the wedding. After class, I went to talk to the teacher. He asked what time the wedding was- not at the same time as class. I needed to be there or get a 0 on the test. I reminded the teacher the week before that I would arrive to the test wearing a bridesmaid's dress, not because I was being disruptive, but because I'd be leaving the reception (in the middle) to come take the test. And that's what I did. I wasn't the only one who had an issue during the semester. We had one guy show up to a test with his own private garbage can because he was really sick, but not in the hospital, and therefore, wouldn't be allowed to make up the test if he stayed home. I should add that this was a night class, so filled with non-traditional students- parents, people with full time jobs, etc -so people more likely to have to miss a class for some reason, and, in my mind, less likely to be sharing test answers. Very glad I only had one teacher like that. ...at least you were the best dressed that day... ...what grade did you score? (considering the whole "power dressing" strategy, and all that)
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shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on Jul 27, 2012 11:37:52 GMT -5
I don't really remember what score I got on the test. This was ~15 years ago. I do remember that part of the test was on Wuthering Heights, and I've never been a Bronte fan- so probably a B or A-.
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973beachbum
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Post by 973beachbum on Jul 27, 2012 11:40:03 GMT -5
"If the kid is truly distressed this badly over one bad grade though, I feel sorry for him, as life will probably come along at some point and hand him some truly distressing points and he might not be able to cope. " Meh, dont all attorneys put that kind of verbiage in their lawsuits... Does anyone know if that one bad grade can truly keep him back from a good college? I started at community college, where the only criteria is that you have a pulse It very well could keep him from getting into a top college. It will also most certainly keep him from being a valedictorian or salutatorian. These things didn't matter to me. I also started at a CC. ;D I would think that it could very well take him out of the running for getting a full ride scholarship also. In my opinion that is why they are asking for money. Since she unfairly penalized him and he most likely lost his scholarship chances, and most high GPA types do early admission so he would already know, the money would go towards paying the tuition he now has to pay for himself. I agree that if he can't get over one person be unfair and him looking less than perfect he will be a tough life ahead of him.
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