To explain the reason I'm being thorough about my marks is because to enter the grad program I want to next year, I need a 3.60 GPA [of course you do]. To do so, I have to get straight A's in all my classes [yup]. I'm kicking my self for being so close, but missing the mark in your class. Literally, almost there [not really].
I guess I'm just disappointed in myself for messing up [but I want you to give me a higher grade anyway]. I would truly love the chance to go over the final or do whatever would help [not contacting me again would help].
I put a clause in my course syllabus that says if a student attempts to seek preferential treatment over other students, including attempting the raise their grade at the end if the semester, I will decrease their grade by 5%. I don't get emails like yours anymore.
ReplyDeleteI love, love, LOVE the clause in my Uni's academic integrity policy that states (more or less) that ANY attempt to influence a grade for a reason other than academic achievement is academic dishonesty (and subject to academic dishonesty sanctions).
ReplyDeletethe whining, attempted bribery, attempted threats, crying, pouting, "this will lose me my scholarship," "my parents will kill me," 'this will cause me to take another year" can all then be met with the response:
"Perhaps you weren't aware that you are in violation of the academic integrity policy? Because you may NOT have been aware, I will let you withdraw your request, because otherwise I'd have to report this to the Dean."
Shuts 'em right up.
Oh, gosh, now I have to go see if we have one of those. Magical.
ReplyDeleteYeah, me too.
DeleteBut even if it's not in the academic integrity policy, one could offer this student advice along the lines of:
Delete"It worries me that you said you 'would truly love the chance to go over the final or do whatever would help.' Perhaps you weren't aware that this could be interpreted as an offer for sexual favors. Because you may NOT have been aware, I will let you withdraw your request, because otherwise I'd have to report this to the Dean."
There are some times where asking to look over one's test can be beneficial. For example, the final exams in my math classes have all been graded by TA's, who sometimes do not follow the grading rubric the way the professors would like. As a result, I have gotten back 4 points on one final (enough to raise my course grade from B+ to A-) and 5 points back on another final.
ReplyDeleteIt's an interesting assumption you have there taht you got the points because the professor agreed with you and not because he or she wanted you to go away. Because there is a special place in hell for professors who undermine TAs.
ReplyDeleteAgreed Natalie, students always think they are smarter than they actually are. When a professor caves to their whining, it undermines the whole system and reinforces their inflated egos. Besides, if a TA didn't follow the rubric consistently, then the grading is still consistent even if it was strict and changing one person's grade isn't fair to others.
DeleteBoy does this student make her offer to meet sound like fun fun fun.
ReplyDeleteNot.
This looks like one to ignore.