Do you think its right for a student in the class to grade other students paper.?

Question

A classmate helped a teacher grade papers and made a scene to another child about a bad grade she had made on a test. How should I handle this? this child is already a trouble maker. Her mom is narcissistic.(seriously) I'm sick of this child. She's always making remarks like "my mom isn't stupid enough to pay for Hollister and abercrombie clothing. Please help. My kids are quite and don't know how to come back at her. Grading papers has done it for me.These are 6th graders. I pay too much money to have to put up with this. The mom is also a trouble maker so it seems this child gets added attention (PET)to keep the mother at bay.This child actually walks around saying "I'M PERFECT". I need good mature advice please.

tomw PLEASE AGAIN. MATURE PEOPLE ONLY.

Answer 1

Having students grade work of other students is considered a violation of student confidentiality and has been ruled illegal by the courts. See the link following. Unfortunately, it remains a common practice. The child you mention will probably find other ways to draw attention to herself; what you describe sounds within the normal range of 6th grade behavior, unfortunately. However, the teacher made a serious mistake in deliberately giving the student access to others' grades. Make a call to the teacher or the principal and let them know you have confidentiality concerns.

Answer 2

Students can help mark papers only if the task involves right/wrong answers, spelling quizzes or multiple choice answers. Something that has a marking key, so there is no doubt as to whether the answer is right or wrong. If the marking involves subjective responses, where the marker has to evaluate the answer, then that is strictly the teacher's job.
In general, it isn't a good idea to have one student mark another's papers, because that is a real invasion of privacy, but sometimes teachers will do it if they have large classes and they give small quizzes. But it certainly doesn't help the teacher to evaluate how the student is progressing if they don't see the student's actual work.
This sounds like a situation that should be brought to the attention of the school authorities. Principals should certainly be aware of the marking habits of their teachers, especially in cases of this sort.
It's difficult at times to be a whistle blower, but catering to one student (and that student's mom) by exposing other students to ridicule is wrong, wrong, wrong.

Answer 3

As a 6th grade English teacher, I too am faced with the situation of grading various writing assignments. As a rule, I never allow students to assist when I grade for content (product), but when it is a paper I am grading for construct (process) I do occasionally allow students to assist me. Was it a case of poor judgment on your [or the other teacher's] part? Ok, yeah, but you can fix this.
1. Don't make this same mistake again.
2. Double check the grade and make sure it is correct.
If it holds that the student made a poor grade validated by an accurate assessment on your part, you have nothing to worry about.
Keep in mind, you will always have "those" parents to deal with.
The best way to handle them, in my opinion, is to start with a positive remark about the student. Follow with how their performance, or lack there of, directly relates to their testing assessment. Finish with your motives, where possibly misunderstood by the parent, only serve to " increase the likely-hood that your child while do exactly what we expect- to perform well."
If you feel that any meeting may become confrontational, do not hesitate to ask a fellow teacher, counselor or administrator to be present.

Answer 4

I can recall having students grade each other's papers on pop quiz and multilple choice test when I was in school. But hey, you are way into the social scene of the 6th grade and you need to back off. If you allow yourself to be worked up because a 6th grader said something you did not like and that "did it for me" then you are about one step away from going after a kid. Who told you the kid is a pet, who told you all of these things that sixth graders say. Are hiring out as a bully, like the old big brother who will kick some kids butt if they say something. Kids say stupid things to each other and mean things and its part of socialization. You don't belong in the 6th grade social world or hating what kind of clothes kids are wearing. Wow, you are way over the top.

Answer 5

As a teacher, I have been told by our administration that having students grade other students work is an invasion of privacy and breaks confidentiality. These I believe are federal laws, not just state laws.
I am not advocating that you take this to court but a reminder to the school administration might be in order.
As far as the behavior of the child and her mother, that is not as easily solved. We have had similar problems with parents at my school and sometimes the principal tries to mediate but it is usually just a temporary fix.
The child sounds like she is making a cry for help. There may be more to this than meets the eye. A visit to the counselor might be in order, or if your daughter and her friends could cautiously try to befriend the girl.

Answer 6

Technically it is against the privacy laws. I allow students to check each other homework or classwork assignments for two reasons. One, these are graded by effort, not accuracy of answers. Two, students need instant feedback so they can see if they need more help or are ready to move on.

By the way, some schools have interpreted the privacy laws so strictly that they forbid even substitute teachers from grading papers.

Answer 7

TA's do the same thing in college. Get use to it.