Meeting 2/9

[cab]

Here's my question. How can a student score basic or below basic on the PSSA and still get passing grades in their classes?

The answer? Inflated grades that don't reflect what the student earned.


Andy,

Grades have been changed by supervisors? Isn't the grade your decision, not theirs? Don't you have a way of objecting if you give a student a failing grade and your supervisor changes the grade to a D so that they pass?

[mr. andrews]

Cab,

Ultimately, the principal of the building has the final word. He/she has the authority to change any grade.

PT is not the only place grades are inflated. Think of it this way: 100 IQ is average. That means that most people fall closely within the bell curve of 100. Look at the honor roles of almost any school district you would like to choose. When nearly 1/2 of the class is on the honor role, what is it worth?

[mr. andrews]

Once again Hok, it doesn't happen. Insubordination is indefensible; it is an offense that can lead to dismissal for a teacher. The 50% rule is enforced. If you don't believe me, go find out for yourself. I'm done trying to convince someone who doesn't want to hear.

[hokapsig]

How many teachers were fired in the past 5 years for insubordination? The past 10 years????

My point is that NO teachers have been fired for standing up for what is right (assuming you choose to do so). What would be the district's defense?? We fired a teacher for doing the right thing and recording the scores that a student actually earned??

Plus remember, relatives are never fired in this district.

[papakazzi]

hok,
I have to disagree with you. I personally am the victim of "Open mouth, stick foot in"
A year or so ago when my healthcare contribution increased from $420 a month to $610 a month I questioned it at the local level. When I got no satisfaction I Emailed corporate HR and the president of the company. I was then given an explanation of which I was still not happy but understood the logic behind it. Long story short, when my GM heard I went to corporate he instructed my supervisor that I "needed" to be on 2nd shift. I talked him down to 1 week a month which I was on for a year until I got back in the good graces of the GM. I seen this happen to 3 other people in supervisory positions, they were told they would better serve the cause on 2nd shift. They all eventually quit and moved on.
At my job if you question the Big Kahuna.....you eventually pay the price.

[stormrider]

papa,

Thank you. Hok is just playing devil's advocate.

There is a price to pay when you take on the boss. Sometimes it's worth it and sometimes it's not. Like papa said, it can take a long time to get back in the good graces again.

Stormy

[justthefacts]

I regularly see the product of our current educational system and parenting methods at work. New hires...mostly kids in their early 20's have no work ethic...they don't care...they don't care about the job, don't care about what they do all day...don't care if they do it correctly and their standard answer is "it's not my job"....they have no loyalty to their employer or their position. They give horrible care to their patients and make continuous mistakes...the employers answer is to give them more $$ so they won't leave, and refuse to back up administrators at the ground level when there are problems...it's embedded in them that they can do no wrong and everyone should be there to make thier lives easier.