Do relaxed homework policies help or hurt children?

[Wandered Off]

Dallas ISD adds some new policies:

•Homework grades should be given only when the grades will "raise a student's average, not lower it."

•Teachers must accept overdue assignments, and their principal will decide whether students are to be penalized for missing deadlines.

•Students who flunk tests can retake the exam and keep the higher grade.

•Teachers cannot give a zero on an assignment unless they call parents and make "efforts to assist students in completing the work."

•High school teachers who fail more than 20 percent of their students will need to develop a professional improvement plan and will be monitored by their principals. For middle school the rate is 15 percent; for elementary it's 10 percent.

Dallas ISD defends changes in grading policy | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Front Page Stories

Do you think these are helpful for the students in the long run?

[angellous_evangellous]

Originally Posted by Wandered Off

Dallas ISD adds some new policies:

Dallas ISD defends changes in grading policy | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Front Page Stories

Do you think these are helpful for the students in the long run?

It hurts everyone. Crap like this is part of the celebration of mediocrity that brings our entire country down in education.

[Gentoo]

I sort of agree with the last one... if most of the class is failing, then something is wrong, but 20% could be only a handful of kids if the place is small enough.

I think the rest are only going to hurt kids. They need to learn that there are consequences of not studying (failing) and not doing their assignments on time (zeros or lost chance of an A). I see these "guidelines" as babying the kids more than they are already.

[angellous_evangellous]

Originally Posted by Gentoo

I sort of agree with the last one... if most of the class is failing, then something is wrong, but 20% could be only a handful of kids if the place is small enough.

Yes. 10-15- or 20% is not "most" of any class, no matter what the size is.

When you're teaching a class full of dummies, a lot of them will fail, especially when the culture of the kids is characterized by laziness and this is encouraged by their parents.

[Gentoo]

Originally Posted by angellous_evangellous

Yes. 10-15- or 20% is not "most" of any class, no matter what the size is.

When you're teaching a class full of dummies, a lot of them will fail, especially when the culture of the kids is characterized by laziness and this is encouraged by their parents.

That's why I said sorta, 20% may not be "most" but if most are failling, then something needs to change. 20% is reaching.

[MoonWater]

The first one is VERY hurtful as it will only DIScourage kids from doing their work to the best of their abilities. The second I think is half good, I do think teacher's should accept late assignments but that the teacher should decide the penalty, after all it's the teacher's job to assign grades, not the principles. I like the third one as it gives students a chance to improve. Don't forget, the kid would still have to study hard in order to make sure they are able to improve their grade. The fourth is also crap. If a student is getting zeros the teacher should talk to the student not the parents unless they're in like kindergarten or first grade, at which age they shouldn't even be having to DEAL with homework assignments. As for the last one I do think that teacher's who have a high failing percentage should be taken a look at to make sure the problem ISN'T the teacher. But by high percentage I mean like more than 50% a couple semesters/years in a row. The rates given here are way too low. Heck I wouldn't be surprised if 20% failure were an average/common thing in high schools... I know it was at mine... it was probably higher. Also I don't think the teachers should know about this policy or even really know that their being investigated. I know that that's dirty and underhanded but if the teacher's know about the policy and/or know their being investigated then what's to stop them from simply adding a point here and there to bump up a students average so there aren't as many failures. Because that's what a policy like the one above will do. It won't better the school system it will just encourage the teachers to cheat.

[YmirGF]

Originally Posted by The mentally deficient Dallas ISD

•Homework grades should be given only when the grades will "raise a student's average, not lower it."

Heaven forbid that little Juan be given a realistic grade for his efforts. I think they should also give him a large certificate simply for submitting his homework. Poor blighters.

Originally Posted by The intellectually impoverished Dallas ISD

••Teachers must accept overdue assignments, and their principal will decide whether students are to be penalized for missing deadlines.

Indeed. This will really prepare children for the work force. Employers are always most kind when one misses a deadline. I think this one is very realistic. I think they should also give him a large certificate simply for submitting his work. Isn't everybody a champion?

Originally Posted by The just plain looney Dallas ISD

••Students who flunk tests can retake the exam and keep the higher grade.

Again, this will help give children the much needed expectations of adult life where one gets repeated chances to get things right all the time. I think they should also give him a large certificate simply for submitting his test. Poor darlings.

Originally Posted by The Dallas coalition for enforced mediocrity

••Teachers cannot give a zero on an assignment unless they call parents and make "efforts to assist students in completing the work."

Ah yes, it is intellectual suicide to assume that the student has even the slightest responsibility to perform specific tasks. This is another brilliant idea that will prepare individuals for "real" life. Bravo, Dallas ISD. Little Juan should also be given a pretty certificate for "participating", after all, everyone is just so special.

Originally Posted by The Dallas "You are freakin' special, honey" Association

•High school teachers who fail more than 20 percent of their students will need to develop a professional improvement plan and will be monitored by their principals. For middle school the rate is 15 percent; for elementary it's 10 percent.

Now this nugget is especially brilliant thinking. Again, we see that there is no sense of personal responsibility here on the part of the student. If students are failing it is obviously a sign that the teacher involved is not doing their job. No doubt, many of you can remember times where your boss "took it on the chin" because she/he failed you in some way.

Originally Posted by The negligent Dallas ISD

Do you think these are helpful for the students in the long run?

Of all the social problems that exist, the challenges in education are perhaps the greatest. I believe all the people who had a hand in passing these new rules should be forced to resign for dereliction of duty.

Then again, perhaps all enrolled students should be automatically granted a passing grade because even if they lick frozen pipes, even if they piddle themselves when excited, even if they must think for a moment before remembering their own name -- they are all friggin' special little tykes. God bless 'em, eh.

"Would you like fries with that, ma'am?"