Sophie was my grade 11 student last year. She is bright and capable. Due to absences, personal issues with drugs and an overinvolved relationship with a boyfriend, she did not complete the course expectations and lost the credit. This year, her science teacher did not allow her to pass that course because Sophie submitted her final task past the due date.
She now wants to leave high school but is short one credit for her OSSD. Guidance sent her to our department to redo the final task of the grade 11 course she failed last year (she handed in her final task past the due date last year). This was happening after the exam period this year and one day before all marks were due for reports. She was prepared to work all day, follow the instructions and complete the task well. Would you go along with this? Why or why not?
In the case of Sophie, it seems her life is complex and perhaps presents challenges that her adolescent years are not equipped to meet. Despite this, she shows the willingness to complete her work, albeit late, and the desire to pass. I believe if Sophie is submitting her final assignments, they ought to be graded. Her life is complicated and yet she rises to task.
ReplyDeleteGranting Sophie control over her education can empower her and give her a confidence boost that she needs. Moreover, not passing her punishes her for the goings on in her life. Sophie is still working through maturation, she is navigating a complex world that requires her to make mistakes and learn from them.
Sophie has finished her assignments and submitted them- this is proof of character and a lesson learned. Permitting Sophie to complete her education and move on allows Sophie to grow from her experiences without being permanently marked by them.
Jennifer Romero
In the case of Sophie, it seems her life is complex and perhaps presents challenges that her adolescent years are not equipped to meet. Despite this, she shows the willingness to complete her work, albeit late, and the desire to pass. I believe if Sophie is submitting her final assignments, they ought to be graded. Her life is complicated and yet she rises to task.
ReplyDeleteGranting Sophie control over her education can empower her and give her a confidence boost that she needs. Moreover, not passing her punishes her for the goings on in her life. Sophie is still working through maturation, she is navigating a complex world that requires her to make mistakes and learn from them.
Sophie has finished her assignments and submitted them- this is proof of character and a lesson learned. Permitting Sophie to complete her education and move on allows Sophie to grow from her experiences without being permanently marked by them.
Jennifer Romero
I think it is important to know our students, by understanding them and their situation it allows us as educators to make difficult judgment calls. In the case of students who are unable to complete their work on time, it is a tough call. By allowing a student, who was clearly given the due date and expectations at the same time as other students, an extension you are showing grace to that one student. Do you then allow students with a bad grade to resubmit? or students to go back and do other uncompleted work? By knowing the student, you know if this accommodation is needed, and even if they deserve it. I think in this case a chance is deserved, but there must be deductions or consequence because of her actions
ReplyDeleteAndrew Devitt
I would give Sophie the opportunity to complete the task. As a teacher it is important to understand each and every student. An important aspect I believe a teacher should have is never to assume all students are the same and if a student is not doing well to find out the reasons behind it and not just judge the student based on their school work and absences. What were the causes for Sophie skipping class? What made her skip class? What factors lead Sophie to doing poorly in school? Why does she want to do the work now? Sophie may of had a bad upbringing, such as family problems, family's economic issues and may of had some trauma occur to her that has made her the way she is. Sophie may have had previous teachers put her down before which may of made her feel as she's not capable of doing well in school. Sophie may of lost hope and confidence due to what occurred to her but by giving her a second chance can change her life around. By giving Sophie a second chance she may feel hopeful of her future. She may of come to terms of how she performed in school was poorly and that she must change herself in order to graduate and this last task she has can change the way she sees education.
ReplyDeleteI believe by giving Sophie a second change in completing the final task can benefit her confidence, education and her future. Each student is different, has a different learning style and come from different background which must be taken in consideration.
In this particular situation, I feel that Sophie should be given a second chance. Equity is not about everyone doing the same thing the same way, it is about giving the student the tools that they need to succeed. During the past year Sophie was dealing with a lot of personal issues in her life and it seems as though she has been trying to get her life back on track. Sophie was not expecting to get a free ride and an automatic pass, instead she was more than willing to complete the task that was asked of her even though it was past the due date. I think that Sophie has had to deal many of the consequences of her past actions and she doesn’t need the added stress of failing the course and being held back. How often have we been extended a hand of grace and mercy from others, should we not do the same for our students? One will never know how their actions will impact the people around them. By showing grace to Sophie and allowing her the opportunity to complete her final task could be an encouragement for her and give her the push that she needs to continue to make the right choices in her life. It may take extra time on behalf of the teacher but are we not to hear to help educate our students and help them succeed in whatever way we can, to the best of our abilities? If I were the teacher I would allow Sophie to complete the task.
ReplyDeleteEsther Madio
Certainly, in this case, I would let Sophie complete the assignment, because she is willing to do the work and it is a complex situation. I do not think it would be ethical to withhold her OSSD because she failed to hand in a single assignment by the due date. I think that would be a case of the punishment not fitting the crime. After all, isn't it more important that she learns the material and completes the work than simply meet a deadline? Also, I think it's important to recognize that the pre-frontal cortex, which is responsible for executive function and time management, continues to develop into the 20s. Therefore, I think it is only right to be understanding with adolescent students who clearly struggle with this skill.
ReplyDeleteNatalie Ziadé
"I would give Sophie the chance to finish the final task. Each student is distinct from all other students, and its important to consider the factors in their life. Nevertheless, students also have the right to pass, and if Sophie is prevented from finishing it prevent her from developing into the person she can be. She has a bright future and us as teachers should be guiding her on a pathway to success. If we are not helping our students succeed, what good are we as teachers? Its important to be actively supporting Sophie rather than looking at the situation passively. Although poor decisions were made, Sophie is ready to complete the task and is prepared to put the work into it. It would be a shame to stop her.
ReplyDeleteNeill French"
It is my opinion that Sophie is deserving of an opportunity to write the final assignment. Part of being an educator is to understand and practice equity. Teachers are not only responsible to deliver curriculum and evaluate students, but they are ethically liable to promote a safe environment where students can develop and mature according to their own individual needs.
ReplyDeleteBased on the brief and limited details shared in this scenario, it is obvious that Sophie comes from a background with some social and emotional challenges. Allowing her another chance based on her request implies to important ideas:
first, that she is ready to take some degree of responsibility for her situation; and second, that she has appealed to a faculty which is able to view her as a whole person. Ideally, a teacher should be able to appreciate that Sophie may not be coming from a stable and balanced experience, which might have equipped her to form consistent work habits. With this understanding, accommodating her to complete the culminating activity would be to give her an individualized opportunity to succeed.
Nicole Khan