Should Students be able to Negotiate Grades?
By patgalca
@patgalca (18481)
Orangeville, Ontario
September 12, 2017 7:20am CST
I really can't understand what the uproar is about. Ontario high schools are giving students the opportunity to negotiate their grades. This is a pilot project to be tested in a few high schools.
My daughters came home from school with 78 or 79 on their report card, something that may have kept them below the 80% needed to get into university or keeping their average below the honour roll grade average of 85% (I think). The number of times they wished they could talk to their teacher about their grade was plentiful, but the teachers would not speak to the student about it. There were times when my daughters worked on group projects and found some members of the group not participating at all. The teacher has no way of knowing this unless a chat has taken place. So the project only got a 70%, but my daughter put in 100% as opposed to her project-mate who put in nothing or very little. Does the teacher know this? No. Though I have to admit there is the odd teacher who will give students a grading sheet of their own to privately stress the lack of participation of another student.
Also, negotiating a grade with a teacher is not just about grades. Negotiating skills are so necessary in life, in business, in relationships. This is NOT taught in schools.
We're not talking about negotiating a grade from a 50% to a 60%, I don't think. There are teachers who are unapproachable. Teachers who are, as my daughters have said, stupid. Yes, there are dumb teachers out there. They don't teach - they show movies, they tell but don't show, don't explain. Sure, some teachers make themselves available after school to explain things better but when one is taking a school bus home, there is no time for such a meeting. Being able to have a one-on-one negotiation time during school hours, perhaps a class set aside for quiet work while the teacher meets with students who would like to meet one-on-one for more explanation or negotiation is a great idea. I don't think people realize what a great idea this is. They don't know what students are dealing with when it comes to some teachers. Teachers who REFUSE to discuss a grade given.
Teachers are not perfect. They don't know everything. In fact there are also teachers that are bullies. I think students need to have more input and a bit of control. Again, we're not talking about giving a passing grade when they failed (though many are assuming that is the case). We are giving students a chance to have some input and LEARN NEGOTIATION SKILLS.
My children are out of high school though this is still an issue with my daughter in university. She is an adult and should be able to approach a professor as an adult for a discussion.
Sorry I went on for so long but I cannot understand the parents and media balking at this idea. It makes perfect sense to me.
Your thoughts?
3 people like this
3 responses
@patgalca (18481)
• Orangeville, Ontario
13 Sep 17
It seems the system here is basing grades solely on marks on assignments, tests, etc. I think effort and behaviour, etc. should be taken into consideration. If a student is 2 points of from making that top 20% that is needed for university, college or honour roll, then I think a student should be able to make their case for that extra 2%.
1 person likes this
@thislittlepennyearns (68172)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
12 Sep 17
I think all teachers should be made available to discuss grades because they make mistakes as well.
1 person likes this
@patgalca (18481)
• Orangeville, Ontario
12 Sep 17
I remember my daughter telling me she approached a teacher about a grade and was told it was too late, it was already in the computer system. People's key argument is passing someone who didn't earn a pass as in, do you want a doctor operating on you who only got 50% on the test? I'm talking about the difference between a 78 and an 80. But my main point is that negotiating is not taught in schools and this is the best opportunity for students to learn to negotiate. The first stepping stone.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (51811)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
12 Sep 17
An interesting discussion, but I have nothing to add to it.
1 person likes this





