Case
The "But He Can't Fail" Parent

You are a freshman World History teacher, and one of your students has spent an entire school year actively refusing to do his work. You've spoken with his parents at multiple conferences with an administrator present, and sent weekly updates via email to the parents regarding the student's behavior and academic progress. With two weeks left in the school year, you get an email from the mother demanding that all the assignments (even the ones from August) be given to the student so that he may turn them in for a late grade and pass the class. Your school has a policy on late work, and once the midterm mark has passed, students cannot turn in work from the previous semester. How do you respond to the parent?

Posted on: 03/12/15 | Views: 1139
Solution #1
Top Solution
As a teacher, it is important to do everything that we can in order to help a student be successful. However, as professionals, it is also our job to follow the guidelines and rules set by our school and school district. If I was in this situation, I would first explain to the school's late work policy to the parents. I would tell them that he cannot receive credit for anything that was given before the midterm point. I would then offer to send all of the work that has been assigned after the midterm period for him to complete. I would tell her that according to school policy, this is all that I am able to provide, but I would then put her in contact with the guidance department in order see if there are any possibilities for the student to re-take the class during a summer school setting in order to avoid falling behind academically.

Yes, following guidelines is key. Great solution.

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Solution #2
Let the parent know the school policy and see if you can work with the student on the work they have missed after the mid term. If this is not good enough, let an administrator know the situation and have them handle it or set up a meeting for all of you.
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Solution #3
A meeting would need to be held with the parent, student, principal, and the teacher. The guidelines need to be reviewed and explained to the parent. Allowing this student to retest or redo assignment is only sending the messages to other students that it is not necessary to work hard during the semester. Bring all documentation to the meeting where the parent had been contacted. Also, discuss the strategies you used in the classroom to help this student succeed.

This would be the most appropriate way to handle this situation.

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Solution #4
Make sure you have all of your parent contact documented. Administration is sometimes only willing to back us up when we have proof of parent contact and attempts to get in touch with them in regards to missing work like this.
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Solution #5
As the teacher has made every attempt to keep the parents aware of the situation and allow the student to complete their missing assignments. However, educators must be professional and uphold school policies.
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Solution #6
At the end of the day it is the students own decision to fail themselves, if they parents aren't caring then why should their child?
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