Apparently 0s are bad...

[Backroads]

Teacher suspended for using 0s in grading

[HEthePrimate]

Teacher suspended for using 0s in grading

Ach, those elitist liberal teachers, expecting kids to actually learn something!

[Palerider]

Where were these rules when I was in school......got lots of O's.....LOL!!!

[Dravin]

Many Edmonton public schools, particularly junior and senior highs, have operated under no-zero practices for several years. It’s part of a national trend proponents say helps ensure more students make it through the school system, learn course material and succeed.

What? We didn't fail any students, we have a 100% pass rate. Now give us that funding.

On a more serious note, knowing that this isn't a purely Canadian philosophy it explains the behavior of some of students I've encountered in college. They made the shift from not being able to fail, or only being able to fail with almost aggressive negligence on their part, to not only being expected to turn in homework on time but having the onus of completing work squarely on their shoulders. I could just imagine how some of my professors would have reacted if a student came up to them and said, "Why do I have this 0? You never came to me and told me I missed the assignment nor came to me to make arrangements for submitting a substitute!"

Edited June 2, 2012 by Dravin

[Guest]

What is happening to the world?

[Vort]

I wonder if a teacher who told his students that Christians were evil and heterosexuality absurd would be suspended. I suspect it's just the teachers who give the students the grades they've earned.

[HEthePrimate]

Under the policy, teachers must pursue students to arrange for late assignments to be completed. If the student doesn’t turn in enough work for the teacher to assess progress, the teacher should enter “unable to evaluate,” the policy says.

I wonder if a student can fail to progress to the next grade if the teacher gives her an "unable to evaluate" mark. If so, "unable to evaluate" could be the functional equivalent of an "F" or a "0" (zero). But it just seems simpler to give a zero

[Dravin]

I'm waiting for all math problems to be arranged such that the answer is never zero either as a final answer or during an intermediate step (should make algebra fun) because that might send the wrong message to students.

[HEthePrimate]

I wonder if a teacher who told his students that Christians were evil and heterosexuality absurd would be suspended. I suspect it's just the teachers who give the students the grades they've earned.

I suspect you're wrong, and a teacher who told students that Christians are evil and heterosexuality absurd would be suspended, and there would be news articles about how horrible the teacher is.

[Vort]

I'm waiting for all math problems to be arranged such that the answer is never zero either as a final answer or during an intermediate step (should make algebra fun) because that might send the wrong message to students.

I think it's destructive to teach about those nasty negative numbers. I also think it's exclusionary and homophobic for physics teachers to mention the normal force.

[Echo2002]

I think we are regressing. I hate to see what the future is going to be like when all of these kids who were coddled all through school and college are going to be like as adults. I've read articles on how bosses are already noticing a difference in work ethic. Young people think all they need to do is show up and they should get paid for it. Forget giving them any kind of criticism, because they can't handle it.

[Mahone]

Whilst I don't agree with the policy, there is more to it than what the article portrays.

Either way, was the teacher setting his students up for the real world by showing a very clear and public disregard and disobedience for his employers policies? Unfortunately, in the real world, if you do that (regardless of whether you agree with the policies) you get fired. There are better methods for voicing a disagreement. Those students learnt a very good lesson I think.

Edited June 2, 2012 by Mahone

[volgadon]

I find it ironic that the school not only doesn't give definite fails, but can't even definitely fire someone. Something is rotten in the kingdom of Denmark.

[Backroads]

Whilst I don't agree with the policy, there is more to it than what the article portrays.

Either way, was the teacher setting his students up for the real world by showing a very clear and public disregard and disobedience for his employers policies? Unfortunately, in the real world, if you do that (regardless of whether you agree with the policies) you get fired. There are better methods for voicing a disagreement. Those students learnt a very good lesson I think.

I do agree with this. While I do find the policy laughable, I also have to ask the teacher if he's really surprised he was suspended.

As for the policy...

I've taken classes on assessment and I do think it's best to assess exactly what you want to learn. I don't believe in busy work and creating assignment for the sole sake of having students hand them in.

But if the kid is unable to turn in the assignment, what are we supposed to assume? I would assume he clearly did not know the work and therefore could not turn it in.

0.

[Maureen]

....Something is rotten in the kingdom of Denmark.

Don't you mean Canada. :)

M.

[annewandering]

But what if they did all their homework and did all their tests and got every single answer wrong? I mean sheesh they worked hard for that 0! How dare people deprive them of it!!