A mother confronted me once about the grade on her son’s writing work in my class. “But he spent so much time and effort on this paper!” The young man was also studying in a vocational education environment. His course of study at the time of the parental conversation was welding.I listened to the mom. When she finished her passionate defense of her son’s work, I mentioned his welding class. “How would it be,” I began, “If, while testing the weld, a trailer was attached to the truck’s ball joint, the weld broke, and the trailer fell to the ground?”
As the mother contemplated the scenario I asked another question, “Would the welding instructor think your son’s weld merited an ‘A’ because he had spent so much time and effort on the project?”The mom’s annoyance came through her voice as she defended the potential welding effort, “But all my son’s friends said he did a good job!”
I asked one last question. “Would you yourself pay for a weld that held or one that fell apart?” Once finances came into the picture, the discussion was over.
I recount this story in response to student comments which come my way from time to time. Students may quibble about a grade they “received,” assuming the teacher is “giving” something. When the standards are clear, rubrics are ascribed ahead of time, and student work is judiciously assessed, grades are earned, not given.
Mark has been teaching over 40 years, Jr. High through PhD. This is one of many memories that will be included in my educational memoir. Find many articles on education on this site and warpandwoof.org