- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
2nd Trimester
RP- Any teachers, question - NBR
I posted this on the May board too, but would love any opinions.
My 13 year old, Matthew, son is AD/HD and has an IEP that allows him time in his support class to work with the aid on assigments, ask questions, etc. He is also allowed an extra day on assignments IF he is already working on them, not just because he doesn't feel like doing it that day. The major problem we are having is with his Math class. He has always struggled with Math, and his teacher this year is doing something that my DH and I totally don't agree with. They get a "completion" grade for any homework or classwork that they do, regardless of if it is right or wrong. They go over the problems in class the next day and correct them on the papers, but if it is done, they get 100%. So then when it comes to tests and quizzes, my son has gotten all D's and F's with the exception of one low C. But because of the "completion" grades, he has a high B average in the class. We spend HOURS with him working on stuff at home. The teacher and also Vice Principal for 7th grade have been in meetings with us and reassure us that they still know which kids are struggling and spend extra time with them. Matthew goes to Math tutoring every week, we are constantly grounding him and trying to hammer into him that he needs to try harder with his Math, but it is so frustrating when you see a kid getting honor roll (for the first time, ever, I might add) and you KNOW he doesn't deserve the grade he is getting! He is still so clueless on most of the Math they have done this year. We are at our wits end on what to do. Any ideas?
This discussion has been closed.
Re: RP- Any teachers, question - NBR
BLOG: The Quinntessential Mommy
I just think they are pushing him, and probably other students, through the class!
Hi, I am a special education teacher for 8th grade and co-teach a math class. We do something very similar to what your son's school does. We assign homework and usually grade it on completion but sometimes on accuracy. I would rather the kids take the work home and try it than get docked for not understanding it. We usually go over it if it's a tough concept. Our homework grades account for 15% of the final grade in the class, so it can either hurt or help a grade. We DEFINITELY know the kids that struggle and usually their test grades are lower.
It sounds like the school is trying to keep him from becoming discouraged with Math, which is exactly what we do here. If we constantly gave F's for homework and tests for our students with disabilities, they would shut down. We remediate when possible to help them understand the concepts.
Honestly, I wouldn't do anything. His effort may decrease if his grade is lower. Be happy that he is trying the work and that his teachers understand. Just keep doing what you're doing with the tutoring and keeping positive about his grade.
I highly doubt this is the case. If he has an IEP, he is entitled to special services but that doesn't mean he's not held accountable for his grades. It all depends on how the homework and classwork assignments are weighted in the final grades. His tests may be lower but the grade may be pulled up with the HW/Classwork/Effort and Participation.
i have to agree with the pp.
some students just really really struggle with an area and getting credit for an assignment is what keeps them afloat.
Here's what I do with my kids in similar situations:
They take the quiz and usually do not do well. So i spend 1-on-1 time going over each step of the quiz.
Then on their exam-- since i tend to keep major concepts divided-- they have a chance to prove themselves as having mastered (or at least improved) on the concept. Then I will replace their quiz grade with how they did on that section of the exam.
it gives them a chance to do extra practice and learn from their mistakes
HTH
This. I'm a high school special education teacher. Just keep doing what you're doing.
My BFP Chart
First, I would praise this young man highly for obviously doing his homework consistantly! For a 13 year old boy, that's pretty impressive.
Then, you need to figure out where your son is getting "lost" in math. Does he take notes during class? When he completes his homework each night, does he check for correct answers in the back of the book (they usually list the answers to the even problems)? Is he refering to his notes from class while he does his homework assignments at night?
I would also caution you about using terms like "not deserving" or "not earning" the grades he is receiving. He is obviously putting in the work necessary to deserve and earn these grades. What is just is important is that he gain the knowledge. Why are you grounding him for doing his homework and working for hours on this every night and going to math tutoring after school? It would seem to me he is doing everything right.
Have you talked with other parents about the progress of other students in the class? If the vast majority of students are learning and progressing with this teacher's style, I don't think it is fair for you to ask the teacher or the principal to change they way they are doing things. If everyone in the class is getting high marks, but not learning the material, something should change.
Again, it seems like you and your child are doing everything right and it still isn't working. He might need a private tutor. Does the teacher spend one-on-one time with your son when he is in after school tutoring? Could he be paired with a high achieving upper-classman for an hour or so after school each day? Do you understand the math concepts that your son is working on at home each evening? Can you find where he isn't comprehending the materials?
These are just some of my thoughts for you. Good luck!
I think grading on completion for homework assignments is fairly common (atleast, I know it is at the school I work at)- the only thing that I could see being a problem is that it sounds like his homework grades must be counting for a high percentage of his overall average for the course. As the PP mentioned, her school counts homework as 15% which sounds appropriate. If your son is failing tests, getting good grades on homework, and his overall average is high- it only makes sense that the teacher is counting homework as a large percentage of the grade which I don't agree with. Unfortunately, there's probably not much you can do about that.
I would keep working with your son, but try to make him feel good about his homework grade "accomplishments"- he'll only get discouraged with math if you're grounding him for not doing well. Not to mention- not all students are "A" students- if math is not a strong subject for him, but he's trying, he may working to his ability level
It sounds to me that the math teacher is doing whatever possible to help students with poor test-taking skills...and that the IEP is being complied with - which is a good thing!!
As far as having a higher grade than he deserves - IMO if he is attempting to do the work and putting some effort into it I think he deserves the completion grade...I give completion grades for homework and some class assignments - I don't feel it's fair to give an actual grade because some students have help at home from parents/siblings/tutors and others have no help...
It sounds like you're doing all you can to help and try to organize him and try to get him to motivate to do better on his own...my parents had similar issues with my brother and I...I figured it out...my brother, well, he is happily married with a beautiful little boy...but, not the most motivated of humans
I, of course, am perfect 
I teach at the university level, so I have NOOOOO knowledge of how K-12 classes work. I just wanted to chime in and say that I tend to feel that completion grades are not very effective in the long run. I understand that struggling kids need to be given rewards for achievements and not lose hope, but establishing a completion grade system has given my college students a very unrealistic expectation of higher education. Whenever I have the chance (misfortune?) to teach a 100 level course, I inevitably have students who look completely baffled when their first paper comes back with a C or a D or an F on it. They approach me after a lecture, wide-eyed, and say, "But I did it! And it's as long as you said! How could this get a bad grade?" Well, it got a bad grade because it was poorly written, or thoughtless, or full of errors, or whatever. But they are graduates of a system that rewards "doing it," and so they don't have much of a concept of how a grading system actually works.
I'm not saying completion grades should never be used, but I have experienced some of their ill effects firsthand.
Good luck with your son--whatever you guys end up doing, it's wonderful that he has your support at home with this.
College is a whole different ballgame. We're talking about middle school. Completion grades shouldn't be offered in college--the kids need to be responsible for doing the work on their own.
I am an elementary teacher so I'm not really familiar with middle school. but I think it is great that your son finally made the honor roll. I would celelbrate it with him. Even though math is a struggle for him, it sounds like the teachers are trying to help motivate students to get homework done. And like other teachers said, if the grades were just on correct answers, and not completion, the teachers are really rewarding those that get more help from parents, etc.
I guess its a fine line to teach your son that hard work pays off vs getting the correct answers pays off. also, if they realize he is struggling, based on test scores and still offer him tutoring I don't think there is a big problem. I would be more worried if the teachers didn't realize what level he was at.
It's great that you are an invovled parent and really know your son's needs. As a teacher I would appreciate that.