tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post5631283030289703803..comments2023-10-15T04:23:50.187-04:00Comments on College Misery: Community College Blues. Stanley on Standards.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post-62044816394475987842011-03-12T07:15:13.164-05:002011-03-12T07:15:13.164-05:00What someone posted early on here is the best advi...What someone posted early on here is the best advice. The D is your friend. Everyone at the four years knows what it means. And yet it will get the more troublesome snowflakes off your back. A C- works too, in a pinch. I try really hard not to give anyone a C who has not demonstrated basic proficiency.<br /><br />And a D counts as passing! In spite of this, my classes still average only a Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post-68363123864974328352011-03-11T02:10:53.935-05:002011-03-11T02:10:53.935-05:00As a student at a University that has only left it...As a student at a University that has only left it's community college title behind for 8 years now, I understand exactly what you're saying. I'm the "uptight student" who won't put up with other student's saying an instructor is "too hard" or "expects to much."I speak up whether students or instructors say such things simply because it is Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post-67231458218554862302011-03-10T20:08:17.997-05:002011-03-10T20:08:17.997-05:00As an adjunct who teaches at two CCs and one state...As an adjunct who teaches at two CCs and one state four year school, I am fortunate that my chairs at all three locations do not monitor the pass rates. I had a one-year temp position at a nearby private school, and, what a disaster that was! I found out after the school year that I would have gotten a permanent posting (big deal-2 courses per semester, the pay was less than the CCs and no Billhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00003098970577277350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post-3108194800092325862011-03-10T16:34:41.177-05:002011-03-10T16:34:41.177-05:00The typical dilemma. Doesn't your state insist...The typical dilemma. Doesn't your state insist on accreditation for CCs? You could sweetly ask if there is a target for the number of people who must pass a course, or if the number passing should be dependent on the learning outcome. <br /><br />I would continue to speak with the colleagues on the parallel courses, but then I'm outspoken and mean and crazy and part of the administration Suzy from Square Statehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03085856052108645578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post-41204903585014151352011-03-10T09:42:38.741-05:002011-03-10T09:42:38.741-05:00CC Cyril, honest_prof, and cerberus: Unions aren&...CC Cyril, honest_prof, and cerberus: Unions aren't the answer. If you want administration to change, become "one of them." Move to the "dark side." Then put in place the standards that have slipped by the wayside.<br /><br />Sit in the big chair and rule for a while.<br /><br />Believe me, I'm all for setting standards and upholding them. As I've said here Sawyer in Student Serviceshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16463333151790071057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post-19035581049381590482011-03-09T21:50:45.310-05:002011-03-09T21:50:45.310-05:00When TPTB decide that student satisfaction is more...When TPTB decide that student satisfaction is more important than demonstrated proficiency, and when they refuse to allow instructors to firmly enforce standards and, god forbid, pre-requisites, instructors are basically screwed. And so are their students - slacking/flaking on standards damages them, whether they realize it or not.cerberushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08815215612313814929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post-10600860183027345822011-03-09T20:32:41.189-05:002011-03-09T20:32:41.189-05:00@ StellafromSparksburg
That actor's name is R...@ StellafromSparksburg<br /><br />That actor's name is Ron Jeremy, and he has kept his job because he is one of the great "woodsmen" of American porn.Strelnikovhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12660962615198939441noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post-2654307407058102842011-03-09T18:03:13.055-05:002011-03-09T18:03:13.055-05:00Of course Stella is right, but what happens to me ...Of course Stella is right, but what happens to me when I get non-rehired for holding standards and they replace me with someone too frightened to flunk them and risk their own job?<br /><br />You'll get the same students.<br /><br />It has to be an institutional change, right? Well how does that happen?<br /><br />Cue Union people.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post-36813720357363462142011-03-09T17:24:08.765-05:002011-03-09T17:24:08.765-05:00Angry Archie's avatar seems to have been taken...Angry Archie's avatar seems to have been taken from a pic of that horrible unkempt porn guy with the beer belly and the dirty moustache. I can't remember his name but I saw a video with him in it once and it scarred me for life and almost turned me into a lesbian. <br /><br />As for holding students to standards, my classes are littered with irate "graduates" from the ass-fuck StellafromSparksburghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17584701718285662953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post-10872437133262042172011-03-09T15:57:43.631-05:002011-03-09T15:57:43.631-05:00@Bubba
The avatar business came up at another tim...@Bubba<br /><br />The avatar business came up at another time, I think. Compound Cal (who is - among other things - an old friend and cad!) made my current avatar, and we once had a lively discussion of other porn star avatars on RYS. I know Angry Archie had one, as did Dana from Decatur. There may be others, but you'd have to query the source to know for sure.<br /><br />I thought Kalamazoo College Miseryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01371354682300032653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post-10605858311391874712011-03-09T15:39:57.581-05:002011-03-09T15:39:57.581-05:00Welcome to my world. I have, however, also taught ...Welcome to my world. I have, however, also taught at a better institution and the students there were just as bad and the pressure to dumb things down and boost grades was just as intense. If I felt free to grade properly, about 80% of my students would fail. I do fail some students and I give a lot of Ds and C-s. I've simply had to come to the conclusion that a post secondary education no Charlotte Issyvoohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11081140798331499819noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post-27256171657012540582011-03-09T15:21:08.386-05:002011-03-09T15:21:08.386-05:00@honest: Sorry, I guess my irony's not as goo...@honest: Sorry, I guess my irony's not as good as Beaker Ben's (or AdjunctSlave's). I'll work on being more obvious (or less obvious?).<br /><br />@Leslie K: I love you. I love the way you moderate. I love your porn-star avatar.Southern Bubba, Ph.D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/12050992903794385204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post-51273263824494897162011-03-09T14:43:43.753-05:002011-03-09T14:43:43.753-05:00If Leslie K changes the font one more time, then I...If Leslie K changes the font one more time, then I'm going to complain to the Dean of Students and the Disabled Students Office. I can't read this font. I'm fucking disabled. This is discrimination.<br /><br />And now Stanley wants to raise the standards? Stanley, don't you know how hard I work to read this font and show up to CM? I deserve a passing grade in "Intro to Southern Bubba, Ph.D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/12050992903794385204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post-66844178454887081742011-03-09T13:25:36.363-05:002011-03-09T13:25:36.363-05:00This solution won't work for everybody, but if...This solution won't work for everybody, but if the CC classes are for extra money, I'd look for something else. For instance, I've written questions for standardized tests on a freelance basis. It's exacting work, and one could, of course, debate the value of standardized tests as well, but I was happy with the purpose and quality of what I produced (reading comprehension Contingent Cassandrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08161652083031423415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post-89632197168508944792011-03-09T13:20:53.336-05:002011-03-09T13:20:53.336-05:00I think we work at the same CC. Either that or al...I think we work at the same CC. Either that or all CC's are becoming degree mills.<br /><br />I'm sorry to say that you are screwed either way. If you hold up to your standards, your boss will know it. If you don't pass enough students, they won't fire you. They'll just not rehire you next semester. Don't believe me? I've seen it happen too many times. The otherThe Cynical Optimisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07407831367759869205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post-10444675557134261322011-03-09T13:18:30.536-05:002011-03-09T13:18:30.536-05:00Stanley, get your pass rate in line or you won'...Stanley, get your pass rate in line or you won't get additional classes. I can tell you that I'm 100% certain of that because I've seen it happen.<br /><br />Like other folks, I need my job. I need a paycheck. Because I was a bit of a fuckup in my 20s, I ended up at an end of the world CC with a barely-legible Masters in History. <br /><br />I don't deserve a tenure track job at aAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post-13982697935235373202011-03-09T13:02:37.470-05:002011-03-09T13:02:37.470-05:00I feel your pain so acutely that some days I have ...I feel your pain so acutely that some days I have to stop grading and go for a walk.<br /><br />I need my job. I need my paycheck. But every passing student, every final grade, is both a lie and a nail in the coffin.<br /><br />I try so hard to be honest. This isn't B work. Just submitting something does not mean you get 100 points. The lack of basic writing standards means you get a C at Academic Monkeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07086078244493768565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post-5246446043636844712011-03-09T12:16:46.722-05:002011-03-09T12:16:46.722-05:00The "D" is your friend.The "D" is your friend.Three Sigmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10822893039310439770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post-77206940688374575422011-03-09T12:03:32.883-05:002011-03-09T12:03:32.883-05:00I'm sorry you got into a crappy CC without sta...I'm sorry you got into a crappy CC without standards. It's schools like those that make people from out of this area look at me like I'm a traitor to the profession when I tell them where I teach. Interestingly, people who live here know that of all the CCs in the area, mine is the "elitist" one that makes students work for the most part. That's not to say I don't EnglishDochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12046114978214062491noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post-44395114640618012492011-03-09T11:56:39.072-05:002011-03-09T11:56:39.072-05:00Keep your standards high, but fair. I teach at a ...Keep your standards high, but fair. I teach at a CC, and I regularly berate those faculty members who "teach" the way your senior instructors do. A CC education should not mean inferior.<br /><br />Fail the lazy fuckers. I do.I_am_not_nicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12164044353299362252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post-22761901550369357612011-03-09T11:55:21.503-05:002011-03-09T11:55:21.503-05:00There is no risk of being fired should you keep up...There is no risk of being fired should you keep up your standards. Risk implies some manner of chance, or probability. This is certain.<br /><br />You will lose these gigs.<br /><br />Or, you will sell your soul.<br /><br />Your choice.Alan From Apexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01366176105581248496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post-5662325941254126422011-03-09T10:59:40.732-05:002011-03-09T10:59:40.732-05:00Higher education needs more professors like you wh...Higher education needs more professors like you who uphold standards. Allowing students who don't understand material to pass courses is doing a disservice to them and to everyone else who holds a similar degree.<br /><br />If someone can "earn" a BA without really being able to think critically or read difficult texts, employers who used to ask that new hires have a BA will now Jennahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17830262739166816638noreply@blogger.com