Job Discussion Forums

[Knedliki]

A few times during my TEFLing I've basically been told that I can't fail anyone, no matter how bad the student is, they must pass. I've always found it deeply unethical and along with some of the dodgy colleagues I've met it's the worst part of this job, for me anyway.
It gives me an instant feeling of disrespect for the person who is doing the asking.

I don't claim to have worked for the best or most prestigious employers, a mixture of public schools and training schools in Asia and Europe.

What's your experience, and where in the world too? Without being snarky, please.

[peripatetic_soul]

Hi,
In a few overseas EFL stints, I wasn't asked or told to pass students but administration altered the grades without our consent.

At one college we were told to remove rubrics pertaining to plagiarism. In other words, we were expected to turn a blind eye, even though the student blatantly cheated and lifted entire narratives from outside sources.

It is rampant, for sure!
PS

[adventious]

I've only ever worked for public institutions and provide a RANKING, or normative score, but I've also provided metrics based upon criteria or attributes, or a set of standards.

I'm not paid as well as many in commercial markets.

It's never happened, but I don't believe I'd care a great deal if admins changed my grades; it's their institution, not mine. It might prompt me to go elsewhere, however.

[Knedliki]

At my university job in China my young American colleague had a wake up call when he failed a load of students who couldn't string two words together. All their grades were altered and it was described as an administration error!

I was then told that the principal didn't like it when students failed, followed by a conversation about my reference request and airfare reimbursement,. I wouldn't describe it as a friendly conversation!

[adventious]

[twowheel]