My child's French teacher, 8th grade, plays favorites. She grades my daughter very harshly. She is not rational in her explanations of her harsh grades. There is no other French teacher and my child wants to continue in the language. I want to tell my child not to worry about her grade in this class anymore. It's usually the only C she gets on the report card. Should I call the guidance counselor? The principal is a total moron. I'm so upset. Please help! I have met with the teacher, I have emailed the teacher. This is the second year of garbage with her.
2007-01-17 23:54:15 · 8 answers · asked by Penelope Yelsopee 3 in Education & Reference ➔ Primary & Secondary Education
Last year the teacher had no control over the class. People were out of their seats and all kinds of social problems were going on. This year there are only 18 kids in the class because most have bailed out because Spanish is number one in importance and also this teacher is wacky. For example, she grades you on how you ask to be excused for the bathroom, she gives homework with only two days' notice that the parent has to take the kid to the grocery store in order to do. I have a bunch of notes but I can't find them. My child gets all A's otherwise and I am telling you, I look at her homework and projects and to me.... I see nothing wrong. The teacher is harsh and I think in other years there have been complaints. She is retiring this year but for now... what to do. I am thinking I will tell my daughter a C is acceptable in this class only but I don't want her to think it is acceptable in others. The guidance counselor has not returned my call since yesterday.
2007-01-18 00:31:05 · update #1
This grade actually does count as first year high school French.
2007-01-18 02:05:31 · update #2
There are mostly wonderful teachers in her school. We are in the boonies and it's not the greatest school in the world. The French teacher is awful and the principal is a total moron. Everyone is related to everyone, like hicks in the sticks...so the top jobs are to connected people.... related people...but like I said, most teachers are good in this school. The guidance counselor is related to everyone too but he is very good.
2007-01-18 08:22:50 · update #3
ok. sounds like your french teacher is a complete idiot with no real class syllabus. here are your options: go to the district office and file a complaint. usually when you file these complaints you also have to express what you would like done with the situation (a remedy.) maybe you should have the head of the secondary educational department look into it. Unfortunately, this could take up to 2 weeks depending on your school districts policies. I am sorry to say this but if your child wants to stay in this class and there isnt any other french teachers, she is just going to have to play the game. Maybe this will be a good lesson for your child. There are more teachers like this once you go into high school and college. Allowing her to stay and seeing how she can "manipulate" the teachers expectations will teach her how to succeed under harsh circumstances.
2007-01-18 03:31:54 · answer #1 · answered by natalieagonzales 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Being in the 8th grade, her/ his grades aren't too important in the sense that they're not going to play any role in her college applications and stuff.
Hence, the grades are going to upset you and your child because of the levels and standards you both set. Let your kid know that this teacher is indeed a horrible witch, and that you can't wait for her retirement. Tell her that she should continue doing her work with her best efforts- and you just monitor it to see that it's up to a level that ACTUALLY deserves an A or something.
But also tell the kid not to worry about this teacher and to just "live with her". In the mean time, speak to the Guidance Counsellor. If the GC doesn't help, and you simply are unable to see a C stain the kids report card, you can always bring it to higher athourities in the state.
Do take note though that IF the teacher gets wind that you've been on her case, and she isn't fired, she's going to give your kid even more crap than ever. Think it over.
2007-01-18 01:29:23 · answer #2 · answered by Chocolate Strawberries. 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In what ways is she unfair to your daughter? There are always two sides to every story. What happened when you met the teacher? Some more information will assist with answering the question objectively. Perhaps "c" is a true reflection of her French language skills.
How does your daughter interact with the teacher?
If you do not want to provide more then consider these suggestions:
1. Meet the teacher again. Ask her to explain her French program & assessment techniques to you so that you understand the outcomes of the course.
2. Ask to sit in with the class - discuss this with your daughter first.
3. If dissatisfied make an appointment with the teacher & principal.
(in both cases keep a record of the discussions)
4. If still unsatisfied take the matter to the school council - keep escalating it until you get the answers you want.
5. Have your child tutored in French - perhaps she does need assistance in some aspect.
It is vital that open and honest communication is maintained between the school and you. If not, the only loser will be your daughter.
Thank you for the additional information. Unfortunately, it sounds as if "going with the flow" until this teacher retires is best at this stage. I would still talk to her but also consider private tutoring for your daughter. Have you spoken with oter parents regarding the teacher? Perhaps she could be asked to retire early or even taken off class and a new teacher appointed. If she is retiring, how long is it before she takes her long service leave?
As I said before your child's education is paramount. Think carefully before making any decisions or taking actions without considering how it may affect your daughter. If, at the end of the day it is better for her to have a "C" for French and some peace in our life, then go with the flow, accept the teacher for who she is and look forward to next year.
2007-01-18 00:18:57 · answer #3 · answered by Flab 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
So tell your child not to worry about the "C" anymore. No teacher is perfect or even totally rational all the time - let's not go there. The point is, a "C" is "Average" and if your daughter is bucking all the garbage you say she is, then she's doing fine to be staying afloat.
I've been on both sides of the desk. My son is now 21 and we can share hindsites. Let it go. You're making yourself miserable totally out of proportion to the rare and special gift of your daughter's life.
(No, I wouldn't have thought of it that way then, either. Some of us have to learn the hard way.)
2007-01-18 00:05:41 · answer #4 · answered by Casperia 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You are so right! Have you considered either talking to the school board, or having your daughter changed to another teacher? Sounds like to me that is not a very good school you daughter is in, if the principal is a moron.
2007-01-18 01:28:11 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I dont know if this is possible but maybe send some work your child has done and the mark the teacher gave him/her to the board of the course and see what they think about it.
2007-01-18 00:05:23 · answer #6 · answered by Miss Pastry 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
since the principal is a moron the do talk to the guidence counselor...and if that doesn't work then go to the school board of your county or city-however it works where you live...i think they respond to letters best...good luck!
2007-01-18 00:04:23 · answer #7 · answered by Devi 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let me get this right, the Principal is a moron? The teacher is irrational with your daughter?
Is it really them who has the problem? Perhaps your daughter is really merde at Francais? N'est pas?
2007-01-18 08:09:06 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋