Parenting dilemma...

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by nostatic

actually, I would wait until the final grades are in the registrars office, then take him on.

Even more rope to hang himself with...

[Moses]

Originally Posted by vash

right on moses!!!! now was she cool when she presented the paper to the teach? or did she slam it on his desk with a "told you mother effer...!"

Nah. She's pretty shy. Always courteous with authority figures. (Except her dad. She lets me have it pretty good when she's cranky.)

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by vash

i have 15 years left at this gig...then i am going to teach math and maybe a science.

If you ever have a student by the name of Moses III, you'd better be fair in your methodology

[Superman]

Keep us posted, Moses. I for one am interested in hearing how gracefully this "teacher" receives your message. As you know, there are few things more demotivating than arbitrariness in the reward/punishment scheme. This teacher's antics are having the effect of urging young people to throw in the towel. We've got enough towel-throwers in America already.

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by biosurfer1

another glaring problem that the teacher might have a hard time explaining is why, in his gradebook, does everyone seem to have 100% except for the ones he graded? He will probably pawn it off on the TA, but it doesnt explain why he let it go/didn't notice since last fall

good point Brett

Yeah, you have to wait until he is not in a position to retaliate against her, because he certainly will try.

[911Rob]

Hey Moses,
Sorry I didn't have the time to read the whole thread, just page 1.

I'd go talk with the teacher.
Let him know in no uncertain terms that "you are watching" and you're not going to tolerate any BS from him towards your child. If he doesn't respond in the desired reaction; take it up with his Boss.

I'm sure you'll get the matter sorted out? At the very least he should offer your daughter the opportunity to make it up?

Good Luck,
I'll look forward to reading the thread later.......

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Isn't unionization/tenure wonderful?

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

Isn't unionization/tenure wonderful?

Actually it is.

My wife used to be a teacher. She won't go back because of the deplorable conditions.

I'm sure the conditions would have been soooo much better w/out union support.

Seriously our educational system needs to be ditched and rebuilt.

What we have now only works in the places that it works which is not everywhere.

[Superman]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

Isn't unionization/tenure wonderful?

Overgeneralizing will become less entertaining to you when you learn more about the problems. How many parties are present at a union/management bargaining table? Oops. I gave away the answer, didn't I?

[Moses]

Well, I'm officially PISSED. Here is a letter I just sent to my daughters teacher. Not my best effort, but I was angry and in a hurry. (I got my girls approval before I sent it.)

Dear Mr. XXXXX,

My daughter Anna is a student in your honors chemistry class. I am writing to you regarding some disturbing events in your classroom. I have three children in our public schools and have never had the occasion to contact a teacher about educational practices.

It is my understanding that you randomly choose students assignments to grade personally while other students work is graded by teaching assistants. It is also my understanding that the scores assigned by the teaching assistants are significantly different than the grades assigned by you. While exact precision and consistency in grading may be impossible, I'm certain that we can agree that it should be the objective. You graded my daughters chapter 11 practice test personally. She received a failing grade. Anna reports that the vast majority of the class received 100% grades from your teaching assistant. Such wide discrepancies in grading practices seem unfair and unreasonable.

Also, during the most recent exam, Anna was given a calculator that was missing a button and not usable. You did not allow her to use her own calculator and would not provide her with a functioning replacement.

I am deeply concerned about these incidents. Anna is a serious and hard working student and she feels she is not being treated fairly. If my facts are in error you have my deepest apologies. If the facts I have stated are accurate, I expect your timely response and plans for redress. If necessary, I will make myself available for a conference with the principal and district superintendent at your convenience.

I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Moses

[kstar]

Great letter, especially considering your anger!

I think it is diplomatic with a subtle bite.

Best,

[stomachmonkey]

Hmmm,

I never, ever send an email when I'm pissed.

I write it.

Save it then read it again the next day and without fail find I can express myself better.

Personally I would have,

1) Spoken to classmates and their parents and gathered the supporting information.

2) Insisted on a face to face meeting with the principal in attendance. I would not have told them the details of why we needed to meet. Just that you insist on discussing a significant issue re your daughter and what you deemed "inappropriate behavior" on the teachers part.

[kstar]

I agree with SM on "the writing while angry part", but I think the letter is tempered well, considering.

Personally, I like taking it right to the teacher. Moses left himself open that he could be wrong in his view of what may be happening.

Of course, there is more than one way to skin a cat.

Best,

Kurt

[stevepaa]

Good letter. The teacher needs to be reprimanded or removed from teaching. We had the opposite problem. Everyone was getting an A but not learning anything. Enough parents complained and the school looked into it and did not renew the contract.

I would talk with other parents, document the events, facts and take this up with the principal and superintendent after school is over for the semester.

[nostatic]

I think I would have gone over the teacher's head right to the principal and request a meeting of the three of you (teacher, principal, you). Don't give him lead time to prepare a defense, instead make him tap dance and explain his methods on the spot in front of the principal.

Not that I'm paranoid or anything...

[snowman]

good prep for the "Real" world and college.

[KFC911]

No mention of the missing assignment...is that your "ace in the hole" for the face-to-face while others are present?

[Moses]

Originally Posted by KC911

No mention of the missing assignment...is that your "ace in the hole" for the face-to-face while others are present?

Yes.