Extra Credit for Buying things and Going to Events: what do you think?

Question

Should it be allowed at all?
Should there be a second, academic assignment for those who cannot afford to go/buy it or those who have other things that they must attend?

Is extra credit like this a violation of an Equal Opportunity policy that exclaims that it includes people of varying economic backgrounds?
Do teachers in public schools have a right to offer extra credit in this fashion?

----what do you think?----

I am sure that most people out there do not care so much about this as I do but I was curious what the general opinion was. If you reply, check back for a response from me because I am interested in what you guys have to say, students, teachers, and parents.

#1. I DID BRING THIS UP WITH MY PRINCIPAL!!!! Really, I did, and this is what she had to say to me
"Even when I was triple cutting cupons, I still could afford to donate to charity?"

yeah, ok...your parents paid for your PHD and you want to tell me that you know what it is like to be broke when you can afford to send your kids to school so that your son can be a lawyer and your daughter a doctor? Haha, yeah right!

Anyhow, I did bring this up and because there was pressure from one of my teachers who agreed with me that he would file a lawsuit against the school (apparently it was a vaild case), the school changed the policy this year. Last year there really were not any rules as far as what I call paid extra credit goes. Now, the teachers can still offer it but there must be a second, academic assignment.

Yeah, that solved a whole lot. It is definately equal now!!!

I just do not understand why my school finds that it is so neccessary to offer extra credit for this!

#3. But who is a teacher in a public school to decide what their students can afford to contribute? How is it ethical to add this kind of extra credit to a students grade when their grade is supposed to reflect their behavioral and academic performance?

And, how does the school know that the student can afford the initial cost even if he does get it back later on?

#4. The Joy of going to an elite public school as an illegal in the district who is only allowed to stay because she raises the stats of the school in academic performance...........

yet I still have to deal with this !@#%

#5. Simply mentioning the irony of my principals statement was not intended to make it look as if I hated rich people because they have money and I don't. If I did, I wouldn't have made it in this school.

Trust me, I know for myself that I do not need a middle class family to afford to go to college. I will also be the first in my family to have graduated highschool, and the first to go to college. I do not support things like Affirmitive Action, to give you a clearer idea of where I am coming from, that give preference to women and minorities because it is assumed that they come from a background in which their statistics would inevitably be lower than those of white males. No, extra credit is not a requirement but when one A was crutched by extra credit that required little intellectual work and another is pure, there is something wrong....

At least, in my opinion.

Answer 1

if its about money, than it is not fair extra credit. You should present that point of view to your teacher, tell them you are poor and it unfairly represents your particular section of the population and they should offer you a less expensive alternative.

PS. Does not break any human rights laws. Extra Credit might break some school rules tho.

Answer 2

Our county policy has been changed so that teachers may not give students extra credit for attending events. The policy also does not allow students special privileges if they donate to charities (like wearing a hat if they bring a dollar for charity). This (giving extra credit) is unethical because it alienates students from lower income families. I personally have no problem with the policy. Students' grades should NEVER be increased because they've attended an event outside of school hours or because they've given money to some cause. Grades should be EARNED based on performance. I see nothing wrong with giving students incentives for showing up to events to encourage participation, but it shouldn't be connected to grades.

I also think that if I read your post correctly, that your principal is a jerk. People should never be pressured into voluntarily donating money to charities. It totally negates the entire concept of giving from the heart.

Answer 3

First of all, I'm sorry to see someone so upset. Obviously, it's not the extra credit that is source of your irritation. You mentioned the family paid for PhD and having sons and daughters as doctors and lawyers when writing about your principal. You are giving way to anger about those who have money. That doesn't mean that their life or value is any more than anyone else. For the past 19 years, I have been a teacher. I have been in classrooms since I was 4...38 years to be exact. I have seen others offer "paid" extra credit and I have even offered my students a chance to participate in things that would cost them money to attend. It is "extra" credit. No one has to go to do these things, and I make sure to offer more than one type of "extra" credit per grading period. The "paid" opportunities included bringing items to charitable collections, going to local performances for plays that we were studying, even donating to clothing drives for our shelters. The only problem that I can see with these types of point opportunities would be if the teacher tried to mandate that all students participate. To see a live performance of a play is an excellent way to appreciate the work we've studied. Yes, it would be great if the school could take all of the students. We all know that with funding the way it is now that most schools cannot afford that on a large scale. Donating to charities and getting a few extra points for it is designed to encourage students to give something back to the community. Most college applications want to see community service. This is a way to build that resume'. I was very poor as a child. I was the first in my family to graduate high school and then held down four jobs and took out student loans to work my way through college. I say that to point out that just because you are born into a family that may not have PhD's and lawyers doesn't mean that you are trapped. All of the energy that you are putting into being upset about the extra points could be redirected. You have every right to see your principal and to complain and to change things that you feel are unjust. However, if you would focus that energy into making a positive change in your own life by trying to be the chairman of a fund raiser that paid for the less fortunate students to attend events, you would see and feel a big difference. I will continue to offer my students these extra credit opportunities and will continue to give rewards for other assignments as well. I try to offer a variety and to encourage students to do their best so that they may not even need the extra credit. Good luck with your education. You seem to be very determined and bright. Again, I'm sorry to see any student so upset about a school issue.

Answer 4

I have used this as an extra credit incentive for my students in the past. I put one point per food item with a maximum of 20 points. Even my students that were on free and reduced lunch were able to contribute. I was a little concerned about doing this, but one of my low income students told me,

"It is worth giving up a pop for a day or two to help other people, even if his family gets the food back, he was happy to help out others."

I think that says is all.

Answer 5

Extra credit should be scholastically related (i.e. an extra paper or reading some additional course-related books) not if you go to an event. OK, if you're in dance class and they give extra credit for going to see a ballet, but then the school should pay so everyone can go, regardless of financial means and they should have multiple opportunities for people's varying schedules.

Answer 6

I completely agree with you. I am a teacher and I would never do it. It's completely unethical, and definitely an Equal Opportunity violation. And you're principal sounds like a jerk!