My District decided to initiate a “no zero policy” starting now. I was informed by administration that when a student does not turn in their work, I still have to give the student a fifty percent even though that student didn’t earn it. I teach sixth graders and I am not sure how I feel about this. Any words of advice?

likehelpful
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at
Highlighted IconHIGHLIGHTED

This policy just seems like another way to decrease the likelihood that students experience failure and makes recording keeping look like things are going better than they are.

If I have a student who does 0 work, then that student's grade should be a 0%. A 50% is still failing, but makes it look like the student did something instead of nothing and requires less work from the student to be raised to passing. How are students going to learn anything about being responsible or being held accountable for their actions and choices if policies like this become the norm.

likehelpful

In my school, we do not have the choice of using absences as a determining factor. It is in our handbook, but NEVER enforced. The argument is that the child cannot help what the parents allow.

Not a fan. Life skills are just as important as learning standards in the classroom. When was the last time you simply chose to NOT do your job but expected half pay. Not a fan. Choices have consequences. Think who you’re saving. Any kid can recover from “one” zero. This policy will save the kids who just decide to not show up, take 10 zeros and then decide to try. They earn a passing grade, but how much have they learned? What the point?

likesmartupliftinghelpful

What if you hired someone to clean your yard for 20 dollars. He doesn't show do you still pay him 10? What are we really teaching these kids?

likesmart
Recent IconRecent

Actually I think this is great with a notification to students and families that zeros will be entered at 50% so that the student has an opportunity to recover. Zeros make it hard to bring up a grade so many just say why bother at this point

likehelpful

I just had a situation where a student is receiving 50% for missing work in a class. When we did assessed their grades to decide what to work on, I am a Resource teacher, he couldn’t tell me what was actually done and what wasn’t. It took so long to go through each assignments one by one online and decide what he needs to do to bring up the grade to passing.

Hey I’ve got a question -if I do 0%of the grading and 0% of the planning and 0% of the teaching do I still get 50% of the pay? Fair is fair right - cause that’s what the policy is teaching!

likehelpful

My husband is in charge of a line in his factory. Work ethic is getting ridiculous. And yes they can be docked pay. Several of his workers have.

There’s always a way to manipulate grading policy and make it work for your classroom. I don’t think people should worry so much about “experiencing failure“ because technically they are still failing but it does allow for young minds to have a more optimistic view in bringing up their grade.
You can also refer to a 50 as a placeholder.

There are a few things to consider when using a 50% as a placeholder for a missing work or not turned in work.
How was your greeting split up are you grading everything as an assessment or do you have specific categories that equals specific percentages?
Example if you want to manipulate your gradebook so that the 50% Holds more weight on effort-based classwork you make classwork assignments worth more. If you want your 50% or missing work to hold more value in your tests you would increase your assessment percentages.
Feel like we are teachers put too much thought into grading policy and percentages we can manipulate this in so many ways so by worrying about how much something is worth or worrying about the 50% placeholder we’re not seeing that there are other ways that we can become creative in making sure the things that we value for our classroom are put into place. If it’s a policy it’s a policy it’s not going anywhere try to think of ways to work around that policy or practice manipulating how much assignments you introduced into your lessons to manipulate the math or go around the math of the policy so that you feel comfortable with student grades and feel like the numbers accurately represent where they stand in your class

likehelpfulsmartupliftingfunny

When we think of grades, we often attribute them to either a letter grade or percentage. As a letter grade, we assign an A, B, C, D, and E or F. However, as a percentage, we have a 10 percent range for each letter from A thru D and a 50 percentage range for a F. If we were to assign a letter grade to every 10 percentage points that can be attributed to a student’s failing grade then we would need to add letters G, H, I, J and K. This might seem a little ridiculous to assign students a K grade, but in fact that is what we are doing when we give them a zero. Zeros (or K grades) do not identify the students’ ability or understanding of the content, only their lack of handing in an assignment, completing tasks on a particular due date, etc. Now don’t get me wrong, students should not be “given” grades that are not warranted or deserved, but we also cannot penalize them beyond our typical grading system.

Another way of looking at how the power of zero impacts students’ overall grades is to look at a simple science experiment. In the experiment, the teacher wanted the students to determine the average daily temperature. If the students in a group were to record the temperature on Monday and it was 88°, Tuesday was 85, the student missed Wednesday’s recording, Thursday was 89, and Friday as 91° then they could have two potentially two different averages if they were to use the zero (average 70.6°) or not (average 88.3°). The science teacher would indicate to the group that they would need to void the zero temperature reading due to the fact it would greatly skew the averages and it would give a false representation of the true temperature recordings of the week. We can say the same is true of a student's grades in that a zero would greatly skew the average which would give a false representation of the student’s ability to comprehend the material.

By using zeros in our traditional grading system, we are not taking an accurate representation of the students knowledge, but grading their accountability or ability to adhere to a deadline. As educators, we need to accurately evaluate students on mastery of the content and give them multiple opportunities to give us a true representation of their learning. Thus, failure should have limits in order to justify the grading system and to accurately document students' true understanding of the curriculum.

like

That’s insane. That is encouraging the student not to do the work.

likeupliftingsmart

Texas High School 2, opinions by nature are neither right or wrong. I teach current events. That is one of the first things we teach; fact versus opinions.

likesmart

And why this kid who did everything will now pick and choose the assignments they know will give them an A.

likesmart

Then you evaluate based on what is completed and note that in his grades

smart

Many on our staff is doing the same. Theory behind it is that a 50% F is still an F but it is an F that a student could recover from. At our High School, not only did they give 50% but then did not put a grade in for any missed assessments. So two students got the same grade, a B. One student had all work turned in and mostly A on assessments, a couple of B and one D. That student earned the B. The other student had 15+ missing assignments and was missing the final grade, over half the assignments and the 4 assessments they did have a grade were one A and the rest B. Tell me that this is ok?

likehelpful

Maybe we should all look at the types and quality of assignments we’re giving. If a student is successful on a performance task or summative assessment, then they may not have had to do the practice assignments leading up to it. Are we assigning things just for the sake of giving them work and putting some grades in the gradebook? Can students choose to NOT do them but still demonstrate understanding? I see myself doing this, too...assigning things so students can “bring up their grade”, only to have some kids not do it and then suffer.

Lately, I have tried to think about my summative assessments as a driving test. I wouldn’t punish a student as they are learning the rules of the road and I wouldn’t punish a student for not showing up for the practice hours if they proved they knew how to drive on the actual driver’s test. But I definitely would send them back to re-learn if they failed that last test! This seems to mimic real life more accurately. I know this an exaggeration, but it helps me make sense of performance-based learning and grading a bit more.

like

Mathematically it’s correct and you can put a statement saying the grade is based on policy and the student did not complete the task. 50 percent is still failing therefore not giving student credit.

likehelpful

I’m actually sick of them making more work for us. I have so many zeros putting in a statement for everyone would take time. They should have a way to mark it as incomplete and give them the 50% without making more work for us.

This is one of the reasons I left teaching. We are not teaching students to take responsibility for anything any more.

likeupliftingsmart

Let’s try to respond with a modicum of respect. This is completely an opinion based question. There is no hard evidence that proves a no zero policy is the correct method or that giving zeros is.

I have worked in education for 20 years. I have watched many of students grow up and move on. As we have instated more and more less punitive policies I have also seen the business community that discusses how well we are preparing students for the world work cite problems that are growing and getting worse. I stand by my zero policy. I have listened to other’s arguments and while some have merits, especially in younger grades, such as grades are to measure acquisition of standards. I also know I am not doing my student any favors by not teaching them more than just the standard. They need to learn initiative, responsibility, perseverance, and resiliency.

like

Assign morning detention or after school detention and make them do the work.

likeupliftingsmart

If they do not complete the work in regular school time, they will not complete it in forced after school time. Not to mention, why should this fall, on already overworked teachers. Every teacher I know is giving multiple opportunity to turn in work. Student who choose not to do it. Choose to fail

likeuplifting

I don’t have a problem giving any student that at least tries a 50. My concern is the student who does nothing. Yes, they would still fail but what type of message are we sending? I want my students to feel success, and it’s not just about grades, but shouldn’t they have to try before playing let’s make a deal?

likesmarthelpful

It’s a debatable issue. Should everyone get a trophy just by being a spectator? If truly, we want our students to be trailblazers; the idea of not putting any effort should not be discussed. I would rather have a zero doing my best than getting a fifty not trying. This is a dangerous idea that we are leading our new generation into who will be the future. I would definitely bring that to Admin’s attention.

likeupliftinghelpful

You’re right!
I don’t believe grades are finite. There are so many other factors that are important for the well-being for our students’ success in the long run.

like

This is absolutely part of the HUGE problem of the entitlement mindset in this country. Do nothing - get something that you NEVER earned.

likehelpful

I have some students who don’t show up online on test days. If a student who does show up, takes the test, and let’s say they miss 6 out of 10. They get a 40% while one who doesn’t show up gets a 50%? That’s why I’m wondering if 50% is the lowest grade your district permits you to give.

like

In my District that is.

I cannot agree with the policy for it teaches students they can get credit for something they didn't do. I consider it grade inflation which in my opinion is an unethical practice.

like

Maybe you use grades as a teaching tool. However, grades shouldn’t “teach” anything.

Standards based grading is the solution to this problem. This method separates work scores from behavior scores. Not doing homework is a behavior scored separately from academics. Grades should only be based on academics. How you handle a student not turning in homework, a behavior, needs a better solution that academic punishment

like

I don’t think numerical grades mean a thing. I think we should go to kindergarten ways. Have they shown mastery on a standard or not? Our grading system hides so much.

likesmarthelpful

Then the 8 standards would be listed and 4 would be marked mastered and the other 4 in progress. I get kids 2 and 3 levels below grade level and their parents don’t realize they are behind because the students are passed along and have had 70s on their report cards.

helpful

That’s education in 2021 for you. We’re teaching a generation of idiots. I feel sorry for the next generation of teachers when these kids are parents.

likefunny

I disagree! I am sure you will go above and beyond as always to prepare our students for the future which has to come. That’s the point that we’ve granted this awesome responsibility just as “Prophets in the teaching field” to foretell what has to come and also prepare our students for the storm that has to come.

‘Your work is not to drag the world kicking and screaming into a new awareness. Your job is to simply do your work… sacredly, secretly, silently … and those with “eyes to see and ears to hear’ will respond.’ –The Arturians

My concern is that the district is requiring you to falsify a document. Imagine down the road a parent accuses the school system of failing to educate their child. How does the district defend that?

likeuplifting

It’s not falsifying anything. The parents are seeing first hand if your child doesn’t do the work, then they don’t receive a grade. If your child does the work they receive a grade. It’s really that simple. The parents can’t accuse the school system if they child is learning at home under their parents roof. We are providing all the knowledge this year but parents have to meet us halfway. I can’t hold your child’s hand this year. So if a parent accuses me I’m throwing it right back.

Related Posts

Hi All, I recently found that I was getting paid 10% lower(in base salary but all other things being equal) than another APM on the team. I found that I’m in fact the lowest paid on an all male APM team. Do y’all have suggestions on what I should be doing to build my case for a raise? How do I go about eliminating that this may not be some sort of discrimination but we’re getting paid based on merit? I haven’t received any feedback from my boss on my performance and shoulder equal responsibility

like

Anyone in the area a fan of going to outdoor breweries or bars during these times? Lost most of my social circle after a breakup a few months ago (they were her friends since I was always traveling and couldn’t meet others or join groups) and with covid it’s been difficult to find ways to meet new people and make friends so figure I’d try here. trying to find some people in the area to hang out with in smaller groups! 23 y/o M if that matters

like
like

Hi All,

Climate science PhD looking to move into consulting -- but first need to get enough likes to participate on here. No pets- so here is a picture of a baby fur seal taking a snooze.

Post Photo
likeuplifting

Hi! My husband had a pituitary tumor apoplexy less than a year ago that took 90% of his sight rendering him unable to work. I am looking for a flexible data entry job that I could do “on the side” to help ends meet. I have been in Product Management for over 20 years and am very good with data and details. My life revolves around computers! Any suggestions would be appreciated! (Bonus points to anyone that also knows of a job a mostly blind person could do from home!!!)

like

Hello fellow HR pros! I really need your opinions on HR certifications. I am deciding between PHR and SHRM-cp. I have read just about all there is online comparing the two and can not decide. My heart is telling me PHR, my mother in law (an HRBP) is telling me to go with SHRM, as it’s more widely recognized, more established and a larger network in general. I work for a 350~ company who is growing rapidly through M&A. Passions/interests are compliance, strategic vision, M&A, branding and culture

like

Hi Recruiters,
Let’s talk cover letters.
What do you think makes a good one? Length? Content? What should definitely be in there and definitely be left out?
What’s the biggest mistake you see people make?
Who is actually reading them? You? The department heads?
Bonus points if you can give insight into the way this works with the Creative Department. (I’m a Copywriter.)

Thanks in advance!

like

Am I the only one that things Amex points are total trash? I have a butt load of them and have looked on the points guys recs and none of them look that great

like

I've been working at this company for a few years now, and I've always felt like I'm being paid what I'm worth. But now I know that's not true—there are other people with less experience than me who are making more. Tips for asking for a raise?

like

Who here is concerned about Michael Burry’s “mother of all recessions” prediction, and who else thinks we’re in stagflation?

like
like

How to politely inform your manager that their meetings are complete time-wasters? I end up working late hours because the work still has to get done. Promotion year so not trying to drop the ball lol

likefunny

i just had sex with my wife after like 11 months (reason for the gap: pregnancy+new baby).

And. It. Was. Life-affirming.

likeupliftingfunny

What is going on with your productions during these days of coronavirus? Clients are postponing or canceling. What are you experiencing?

likesmart

It’s the end of the year and now parents want to be involved?!?!

funnylikesmarthelpful

I want to brag on my kid, but I don’t want to embarrass him, so I’m doing it here. My college sophomore found out today that he ended up with a B in his accounting class - which is remarkable, given that he received a 50 on his first exam and a 70 on his second. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen him work this hard - and I couldn’t be more proud. The grades that come easily don’t impress me nearly as much as the ones that are hard fought.

likeupliftingfunny

Anyone have any experience working with The Mom Project in Chicago? I had a recruiter reach out to me and I’m a little concerned that they know I’m a mother when I keep that info pretty close ...

Best cards in Canada for points?

like

Do you think using “him/her” for “he/she” (ex: “her is playing” “him not here yet”) is something that kids usually grow out of? Or does it need direct intervention? I have 2 students who exhibit this error, who otherwise should be dismissed. Normally I’d just keep them on and work on it alongside other goals, but they don’t have any other goals, and with COVID, and my upcoming maternity leave in March, a more compact caseload would be advantageous.

More Posts

Any good recommended books on how to build a scalable product and team? I'm looking for recommendations for two areas: 1) in general laying the groundwork in a startup to have the tools and especially processes in place to scale, and 2) tactical focus on building a SaaS project. I've been promoted into a management role from Dev roots, so need to learn more PM processes to be an effective manager in day job, plus would like to start building my own SaaS solution.

like

Looking for a position for IAM information Security within Healthcare. Provision, set up access, templates.
SaaS , Sailpoint, Azure . Any ideas ?
Thank you

like

I’m just starting in the medical device sales industry and would appreciate some advice on how to maintain work life balance!

like

How long does it take from the moment one applies for the CPA, to actually receiving it in NY?

like

What should a HRG role pay? I have 5years HR experience and a masters degree. Located in the St. Louis area. Thanks!

like

Hello everyone, I wanted to understand I have done BBA and after that MBA in banking as minor and have been working as Fraud investigations Advisor I want to advance in my career so which certification is good CAMS or CFE, the Investigations I am currently doing are system automated we just have to follow the SOP and take action on the account, can anyone guide me how to proceed further in my career path and which certification can help me to advance in my career. YOE 7 years

like

Day 15 (Yes, a day late): “MARS Maltage "Cosmo" Blended Malt Whiskey". Never heard of this.

No detailed review required: Nasty.

Post Photo
like

Hey sharks! Is it a good option to go London from TCS with 45000 pounds salary for a single person
YoE 9 years

And what will happen with India salary? Will it get stopped and I only receive London's salary?

like

Need advice, my brother and his wife have a three month old and aren't the most cautious parents with my nephew. Yesterday, my SIL was giving him a bath and just left him in the tub on the counter to go run upstairs for something. Granted, the water came up to his chest and his head was angled out of the tub, bit still. Also, they leave him on the couch and walk away. I'm worried that when he starts rolling over he'll fall off because they will have developed this bad habit...

like

I have to travel to my client every week and the client’s office is attached to a very nice hotel that’s $250 per night. There’s a hotel right across the street that’s $150 per night.. it’s alright, but not as great. Should I be mindful about how much I’m spending or should I blow up the budget until someone says something?

likefunnysmart

Hi everyone!

I’ve been asked to write curriculum for the new New York Global course. Anyone have any resources that they found to be amazing?

likeuplifting

Kläder på jobbet.
Jag blev anställd under covid och har inte behövt köpa en enda kostym ännu. Skulle uppskatta lite råd kring detta ämne, märken, färg och sånt?
Typ marinblå eller grå Oscar Jacobsson / Tiger / Boss?
För Män alltså.

like

Who was laid off today

I am currently looking to switch over from Accenture to GuidePoint Security. Anyone here from GuidePoint Security or knows much about them?

likehelpful

Hi all this is my second week with Deloitte, I wanted to ask how long does it usually take to go from consultant to senior consultant ? I’m apart of Cyber GPS

like

I left gecio and went to liberty mutual, but I’m not liking their way of evaluating claims. They rely heavily on Mitchell which is a pricing tool and their reductions are excessive. I’m thinking of switching back to Geico and was wondering if anyone has gone back to their previous carrier. I used to be a lit adjuster at gecio and now only handling soft tissue claims, which is extremely boring. I’m gonna be going through liberty’s litigation training at the end of June.

like

How can you land a job with a coding bootcamp background?
I just finished fintech bootcamp with UM and I’m trying to land a job in data analysis what advice can you give me ?

Dan's last call mentioned they're discussing future office layouts and mentions it would be different and it will "not be a social environment." Thoughts? (Cont'd)

like

PwC Advisory or EY FSO for M level role?

likehelpful

Pta with 4 years director of rehab experience, what can I expect for a salary?

like

Additional Posts in Teachers

Last Spring I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. When I was diagnosed, I think I had had it for several years. My doctor put me on a diabetes med (my A1C was 10.2 and my blood sugar was 270). I knew I didn’t want to deal with the adverse effects of this disease, so I made some drastic dietary changes, started exercising, and brought my blood sugar down. I am now back in the pre-diabetic range, and I got off my diabetes meds. I lost 40 lbs. and feel great! Take care of yourselves! It’s important

likeupliftingsmarthelpful

I was always told once you are tenured or get your masters, you're stuck at that district since other districts won't want to pay you for the degree level or years of experience. Is this still true?

like

Which other schools have delayed opening F2F until September? Do you think a lot will change in that time?

like

I'm a large man that works out almost every day. It is amazing that there are junior high students that speak to me with such a huge attitude.

like

What reading curriculum/program does your school use? What are your thoughts of the program?

like

Let's see what everyone got from their students/parents for Christmas!

like

This will be the first year I’m teaching both middle and high school. I wanted to be careful to decorate in ways that were more suitable for both, so I added a little wall of quotes. Yaye or nay??

Post Photo
likesmart

Those of you teaching elementary students simultaneously (remote/in-person): Are all your students allowed to use Chromebook’s/Ipads while you teach? Also, are you using a webcam?

like

I love to bring students to the Exploratorium near the San Francisco Ferry Building. It's a bit expensive though.

like
like

Do you have a LinkedIn? Do you think it's useful to have one?

like

Looking for new ideas for open house. I’m a kindergarten teacher and the parents are usually so distracted by their kids the miss half of what we say.

like

Has anyone been moved from one grade level to another by their principal? Did it help the school climate or hurt it. Especially if several people were moved with out warning.

like

Good morning, teachers! Is anyone willing to share any fun pics from your holidays? Here I am with my first turkey in the oven!

Post Photo
likeupliftingfunny

Do you give you phone number to the sub?

like

Due to the weather here in Texas tomorrow is…

Post Photo
likefunny

My school is a small rural school. We don’t offer many in-house electives. What’s happening is students are having to take whatever is there to fill their schedules. If they aren’t interested in the class, then it becomes an opportunity for disruptions because they aren’t interested. What are some electives you have at your school that are new, innovative and interesting for todays high school students?

like

Happy 4th of July!!! How are you celebrating today?

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Send download link to your phone

OR

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Messaging rates may apply

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal