The end of another week, and also of our first marking period at school.
Final grading score, at least that which the suits will care about.... of forty nine students, seven failed the first marking period.
I know it will not matter one whit that our class grades follow the curve for average. I learned my first year..... an instructor will never get in trouble for passing a student, but there's hell to pay when one fails. In this case, seven failures, more in one semester than in the last five years put together.
It helps that we have gone about 300% past 'above and beyond' in trying to help the kids.
That said... there's nothing that can be done for a student who won't show up, or who thinks an entire quarter's work can be made up in two days. Welcome to life my young friends....
I suppose it shouldn't bother me so much, but it does anyway. I have no problem fighting against overwhelming odds.... bring it on. But to do so, and have it tossed away for lack of caring.... that hurts more than I should let it.
My partner and I won't face any problems. There's no doubt we've gone far beyond the normal system in trying to help the kids who failed. We've heard it from all sides including the parents.
On the other side of the coin, about that many students came away with hard earned A's, and that's as unusual as the failures. We should be happy about that.
But... seven fails..... damn.
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3 comments:
It just goes to show. Give a man a fish and he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish and the school administration will steal the fish.
Not to worry Brigid.... I'll not lose sleep over this. One day past I would have, but perspective is a wonderful thing.
Today, as if on cue, three former students showed up to visit, out of the blue as they always seem to. Each on his own.
I think, to them, it's kind of like coming home for a spell.
Two are doing well, working, and using what they learned with us.
The other is facing cancer and treatments, but still fighting a good fight.
This happens often... students coming back to see us.... almost weekly. Not like an academic school, where teachers so seldom see the fruits of the work.
The ones we have now who are failing.... have time yet. We'll do what we can, as best we can, and as is always the case we'll end up surprised at how well most of them face life.
It is nice that the success of your past comes back to haunt you. They really remember the stuff you showed them and they want more, that is perfect timing. I did it twice with a favorite teacher & rifle coach - Senior year visit after graduation with my girl friend, and a visit after my return from Vietnam. He was important enough I wanted his approval. I think I got it.
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