Job Discussion Forums

[chryanvii]

And the grades aren't just a little low...they're VERY low

The university has told us that a certain number of students must pass all classes. There is a matrix which shows how many students they want to pass, get mid-range scores, etc. They don't like to fail students.

But...I have taught my classes, prepared my classes well, and done my job responsibly. I feel that I am a fair teacher, and have taken the time to grade all the exams fairly. However, it seems the students have not studied and prepared for the exam. In addition, they are not active during class, and many on them just diddle around on their phones.

What would you do? Would you trust your intuition and give them the grades you feel they deserve? Or would you "sell yourself out" and contribute to the assembly-line, where students don't have to work hard and just expect to pass everything?

After the school tells me that I should change the grades, and that the grades I give them aren't acceptable, I feel that I should leave the ball in their court.

Tell me your opinions...

[The bear]

Your grades will be changed. Foreign teachers' classes are token gestures for the most part, yes there are exceptions, but I'm talking in generalizations.

You did your test, gave the grades you saw fit, and then submitted them. Nothing more you can do.

[rioux]

Everyone passes.

No problems.

No need to rock the boat.

[getbehindthemule]

The first time that I came across this, it annoyed me (and I teach at prrimary level).
I give honest grades and keep records. Admin asked me not to give the test papers back to the students if they get lower than a B-. I generally give them a second chance (re-test) anyway.
It's mainly a case of the parents causing uproar, ie. what's the point of having a FT if my Prince/Princess is getting poor grades!
With such young students it's not a big deal but I reckon it would frustrate me immensely at older levels!

[doogsville]

As others have pointed out, the school will very likely just change the grades anyway if you don't comply. My experience is that students in China expect very high grades in return for very little work, and that the schools not only allow that but support it. Chinese students must be seen to be achieving great scores, even if they really aren't. But then so much of what goes on here is facade with no underlying substance.

You either play the game and make whatever difference you can when you can, or you quit and find something else.

[RiverMystic]

[rogerwilco]

[lionheartuk]

I wouldn't worry. I have given oral tests to -primary- students and was told to give them the minimum pass mark even if they couldn't answer the question "what's your name"? or answer any question at all. Thankfully there are not that many.

The students are the ones that will suffer in later life if they are too lazy or not interested in the subjects they are supposedly being taught.

[asiannationmc]

bell curve it...simple solution without much reflection ...

[yurii]

[RiverMystic]

[asiannationmc]

[LarssonCrew]

Of course like Baidu, youku etc. Wechat benefited from government support and the banning of all the non Chinese companies in that area too.

[nimadecaomei]

[RiverMystic]