Case
If a parent disagrees with a grade you assigned to a student, how would you handle it?

If you are asked this question in a job interview for a teaching position: What are some things you should avoid when responding to this question? What might be some important points to stress that would get the interviewer's attention? How would you respond to this question?

Posted on: 02/24/13 | Views: 1206
Solution #1
Top Solution
If a parent is unhappy with a student's grade on an assignment, ask if the parent would like another faculty member to grade the assignment. Always have rubrics for assignments so the student, parent, and any other teachers involved understand what the assignment criteria is. When it comes to overall grades, always have up to date data on the student and be able to support your designation of any grades. Use appropriate grading scales, rubrics, or holistic scales.

What would be somethings to avoid saying in a situation like this? Telling the parent--it is what it is, live with it?

Definitely avoid comments like this. When dealing with parents, you want to seem concerned, yet firm in your procedures. Instead of focusing on the problem, I find it's always beneficial to shift the focus on finding and working towards the solution.

I agree with the solution. I never would have thought about having another teacher regrade the assignment. Great idea!

I think this is a good solution. I also have never thought of having another teacher grade the assignment. Also, having a rubric is definitely important, as you said, because it gives the parent exact details on how the assignment was graded.

That is such a great idea to have another teacher grade the paper. I feel like that immediately shows that you have confidence in the way you graded it and that your rubric is accurate. Any parent should feel better about that, even if their child got a bad grade.

Firm, but compassionate

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Solution #2
I would first show the parent a copy of the rubric I used to grade the assignment and then show her specifically the areas in which the student did not meet expectations. If the parent is then persistent about the grade I would then show them an example of a satisfactory project and them show them how the two compared.
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Solution #3
I think I would give them the respect and go over the assignment again myself to make sure I (as a human who makes mistakes) that I did not. Then once I checked myself for grading mistakes, go over with he parent why the child got the grade he/she earned and that I hope the child will do better on future assignments. I, by no means, would allow a students parent to become tempered and tell me I do not know how to do my job, that would be very unethical.
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Solution #4
I will review the material graded for any errors. I would then call for a parent conference. In the parent conference, I would bring the graded assignment with me. The parent be allowed to explain why they disagree with the grade. I would review what the student made on prior formative assessments (if related to the one in question). Then I would review the assignment that was graded. I would explain to them that the student at this point showed no progress or some progress depending on the grade. I would let them know that the student would be able to review the material and retake it if it is a formative assessment. However, if it is a summative assessment, the student would have practiced in class before taking the assessment. I would encourage the parents to assist the child in studying at home. I will also go over techniques for studying. I would also offer tutoring afterschool to review the material with the student.
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Solution #5
Creating a rubric with the criteria will eliminate some of these problems however give the parent thee option if they want another colleague to grade the assignment.
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