Ay, ay, ay I guess I have to agree to disagree!

So once again as my 21c cohert is meeting to discuss the book Understanding by Design, my frustration about grades comes into play again!!! I consider my self an idealist yes, but I am also a realist (that is if it is possible to be both). I allow students to edit, re-submit, re-take, etc. I truly believe that if a student is willing to put in the work and learn, or re-learn to show me they can understand or apply language, I am here to guide that process. I also believe that not all students do or can learn the same content within the same time frame.

HOWEVER...

What about teaching deadlines? What about enabling instead of empowering? And, what about the comments that an "A" in Mrs. Kitch's class is easier because you have these procedures (of correcting) in place? Also many believe that if a student fails a test that they should go back an relearn the material for the sake of learning, even if no points are given back. (Are we talking about the same 16 year olds?) Teachers constantly say it should be about the learning and not the grade. Therefore they don't give points back for re-doing, re-assessing, or re-learning. However, I would have to argue the other way. If it is about learning, why wouldn't you give points back for a student doing just that...LEARNING?!

The bottom line is I have to just agree to disagree with many on grading practices. I guess there are worse things that being called an "easy teacher" although students constantly comment about how challenging their homework or assignements are in my class. I think maybe "easy" is being misused as their choice of vocabulary word.

And after all it could be worse, I could be known as the "smelly" teacher :)