Teachers, what is the largest percentage of students you have failed in a school year?

Answer 1

I have taught 6th, 3rd, and 5th grade and I have never retained (or even wanted to retain) a student.

Answer 2

Your question actually opens the debate on Retention (Failure) or social promotion (Send them on no matter what). I teach in a system that does not fail students and retain them. No matter how poorly they achieve in one grade level, they advance the next year to the next higher grade level. I, therefore have not failed any students. I do wonder how they are to succeed in the next grade if they have not mastered the skills to pass the previous grade level. I know many do not believe retention has any value. I, however, have seen too many students advance to the next grade without the necessary skills and have truly miserable years. When will American schools work toward a middle ground that insists on skills being mastered before advancement is allowed but give students a chance to gain those skills in a setting that doesn't simply make them do the same thing over and doesn't push them into a level where "failure" is almost assured? Life is all about passing and failing. Students need to learn that a lack of effort and attention to their studies will have dire consequences. We must not punish those who truly can't learn or are just slower than others at learning the given material at certain grade levels. Maybe doing away with "grade Levels" is a good idea.

Answer 3

I don't "fail" students they fail themselves by poor study habits and lack of motivation. I just grade the papers using rubrics, scales and or answer keys which generate the grade.