HalifaxTalk.com

2boxers · Joined: 31 Jul 2006 Posts: 9282 Location: Five Acre Farm

I have been told by a source that I cannot reveal, but one that I consider very reliable, that the school system doesn't give a zero grade anymore. The policy-and I am told this is county-wide, not just one school-now is that no student will be given a grade lower than 60. Can any one confirm or discredit this?
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iteach · Joined: 13 Jun 2007 Posts: 2322 Location: B-Wood, Baby

I have never heard that, but I would not be very reliable, since I haven't given grades in 6 years. Nevertheless, I have never heard that policy.
I can tell you for a fact that my daughter has earned grades less than a 60 on things at the middle/high school level. Now, what was put in the gradebook might have been different than what she brought home. I do not know.
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ginblossom · Joined: 07 Jul 2006 Posts: 1296

Not in my classroom. 0 effort gets a 0 grade. I have also heard that at some schools (elementary and MS), that teachers are not supposed to give a 0. In my opinion, teachers don't give grades, students earn them. I believe all this came about years ago (I have experienced it in other counties and I've been here since 1993) when students' self-esteem became a priority instead of educating them.

Now I agree with wanting to make a child feel good about themselves and not wanting to squash them like bugs, BUT giving them a 60 when they haven't done the assignment and have earned a 0 may be why I have noticed a serious decline in the work ethic of students.

To my knowledge, there is no such written policy. I understand it is suggested at some schools.

TheOther · Joined: 07 Nov 2007 Posts: 2253 Location: Off Road

Man, things have really changed.
My teachers never gave me a grade above 60 Twisted Evil

I assumed it was school policy back then Embarassed

TO
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dbstone · Joined: 17 May 2007 Posts: 53

My friend's son attends CS and the lowest grade a student can make is a 60.

Tarheel · Joined: 21 Aug 2006 Posts: 16565 Location: South Boston

2boxers · Joined: 31 Jul 2006 Posts: 9282 Location: Five Acre Farm

Indeed, if this is true, then it is insane. In what way would this help self esteem? If a kid is pulling in zeros, the kid already has no self esteem.

Granted, 60 is still failing. However, for those kids who earn a 60, but the kid next to them writes their name on a test & turns it in and gets a 60, where is the incentive for the kid pulling a 60 to even try at all? If all the kid has to do is write their name on a test and they get a 60, what's the point?

I do not know if this is true. My hope is that is is not true.
_________________
Our houses are protected by the good Lord and a gun
And you might meet 'em both if you show up here not welcome son
Our necks are burnt, our roads are dirt and our trucks ain't clean
The dogs run lose, we smoke, we chew and fry everything
Out here,

Patrick_Bateman · Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 3:34 pm Post subject:

We had this policy when I went to school in pennsylvania. In order to give a grade lower than 60, the teacher had to make a presentation to someone about why and provide proof (tests, etc.). Nobody ever got a lower grade because teachers didnt want to waste their time making the presentation.

My mechanical drafting teacher used to bitch about this policy all the time. He used to tell us that when we were seniors and accepted to college, we should do well the first half of the year and try to get 90 or better in all subjects. Then the second half of the year we could "put all your textbooks in your locker and weld it shut" because we wouldn't get anything lower than a 60 and we'd average a respectable 70-75 minimum for the year.
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Lucy · Joined: 20 Jun 2006 Posts: 1109 Location: Halifax County

What I got from my school is.....they can get a 0 on a paper/test, but the lowest grade in the grade book can not be below 60.
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iteach · Joined: 13 Jun 2007 Posts: 2322 Location: B-Wood, Baby

Will you share which school?
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Sister to sister we will always be,
A couple of nuts off the family tree.
~Author Unknown

kragsdale · Joined: 09 Nov 2007 Posts: 41 Location: millstone

I've asked before and didn't get replies, but I've been told that an elementary student will not fail the same grade twice no matter what. Does anyone (Joe) have any info on this matter? What is official policy? In my opinion a child's grades should be straightforward, unless the entire class is struggling, meaning a different approach is needed to explain a concept. Eager to hear other opinions.
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wildhandyman · Joined: 20 Jun 2006 Posts: 7958

kragsdale · Joined: 09 Nov 2007 Posts: 41 Location: millstone

Generaly I do not let my children make excuses such as the teacher is not effective, but my daughter was having trouble with a subject at high school, and when she switched teachers between semesters her grades improved alot. Maybe it was her fault, maybe she "clicked" with the new teacher, or maybe the first teacher is not very effective.
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