Q&A: Report Card Edition

We are rapidly approaching the end of January. Here in Ontario that means plunging temperatures, rising snow banks and the end of first semester courses in high schools. That, in turn, means that stress levels in schools are ratcheting upwards. Students race to finish assignments and juggle projects from various classes; teachers push to gather evidence of student learning and struggle to mark myriad late assignments before exams. And everyone worries about report cards.

As a Department Head (officially known as a “Position of Added Responsibility” – a phrase designed to make it very clear that I am in charge of precisely nothing), I experience the end of January as a long series of “what if” questions that usually end in either frustration or confusion.

First, some clarity (it will be the last in this post, I assure you): 

1. For reasons beyond my comprehension, Ontario uses letter grades through grade 6 when we randomly switch to numbered “achievement levels” (which teachers must then convert to percentage marks. So, A = 4 = 87-94%; B = 3 = 73-76%. Oh, and the A/ 4 range is 80-100%; all the rest of the levels have ranges of 10.) For this post, I’m going to use A, B, C, D because that makes sense to many people.
2. A summative = a major final project; some classes have a summative and an exam; some have a summative and an exit interview; some have a different combination of things. Every class has some sort of final something.

“So,” a teacher sits down next to me at the lunch table. “I have a question.” 

Question: I have this student. They came to class for the first part of the semester and did really well. Lots of A pluses. Then they stopped coming a few months ago – I think maybe they were sick or something? I’m not really sure. Anyway, Guidance wrote to say that they’re coming back just in time for the summative (major final project). If they pass the summative, what mark should I give them?

Answer: Just ignore the parts where they didn’t come and, assuming they’ve done work for all the major curriculum expectations, give a mark based on what they did.

Question: So they don’t lose any points for not coming?

Answer: Nope, not if they’ve demonstrated their abilities.

Question: I have another student who emailed me that they were tired, so they skipped the summative and went home. Do I have to let them make up what they missed?

Answer: Yes.

Question: But their absence isn’t excused.

Answer: Why is that a problem?

Question: A student told me they didn’t feel like reading Animal Farm, and they want to write their essay on Twilight instead. I haven’t read Twilight, and it doesn’t seem to be about the themes we discussed in class.

Answer: Wow! Are you complaining about a student who wants to read a novel? What sort of teacher are you? Of course they can substitute a random novel you haven’t read for the one you taught. And you should probably get a start on that book tonight – and maybe make time for the movie on the weekend, just so you’re well-versed on its world-building.

Question: I have a student who really loves the book series they discovered in grade 3. In fact, they love the series so much that they refuse to read anything else. If the lowest description for passing is “Limited” does reading this count as passing in grade 12?

Answer: Have you been paying attention? The curriculum doesn’t say how limited “limited” is. If they can read, they pass.

Question: I have a student who attended class two times this semester. Can I give them a zero?

Answer: A zero?! After you’ve seen them? What are you thinking? They made it to class twice! Give that child at least a 30!

Question: I have a class that has done multiple major projects and essays. I already have all the evidence I need to evaluate their learning and I don’t plan to give a formal exam because it doesn’t make sense with the course content. Must I require them to attend during the exam day?

Answer: Ah… trying to slack off, I see. Wiggle out of exams, huh? We’re on to you! You must REQUIRE students to attend. And you must have something for them to do on that day that will help them improve their final mark.

Question: Hmmm… ok. I’ve made an exam because you told me I have to. Now  have one student who failed the final exam and another who skipped it. Can I…

Answer: Stop right there! Missing or failing the final can’t hurt their overall grade. What kind of monster are you that would let one day harm a child?

N.B. Most of this is not true. Most of it.