massive failure
- connecticuter
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massive failure
As I have mentioned in an earlier post, I teach a wide range of age groups. My 10th and 11th grade students being the worst performing students. My teaching style does not change from classroom to classroom. I was having a bit of self doubt when all my other classes were performing at grade level, while the above mentioned two underperformed.
Before the Khmer new year, I gave a chapter test straight out of the book - almost every student in these classes failed. This week I gave my grade 10 and 11 students a different exam. It was composed of the chapter 1 grade 7 exam and the chapter 1 grade 8 exam.
Shocking results. The majority of the grade 10 + 11 students failed the grade 7 exam (many students getting less than 20%), the remainder of my students barely passed (the highest score was a 65% on the grade 7 exam).
As I mentioned in other posts, the admin tell me not to worry, just fail the students. With that sort of advice, I do not fear losing my job. That being said, I am not sure how to proceed. It seems I have a few options.
I could continue to "teach" the students using the textbook and tests appropriate to their grade level, resulting in almost all the students failing the course.
Alternatively, I could split each class into a grade 6 group and a grade 7 group and teach each according to their actual capacity.
Finally, I could come to class, fake the attendance, give the student unearned test scores, and sit back and relax.
----
Any ideas?
Before the Khmer new year, I gave a chapter test straight out of the book - almost every student in these classes failed. This week I gave my grade 10 and 11 students a different exam. It was composed of the chapter 1 grade 7 exam and the chapter 1 grade 8 exam.
Shocking results. The majority of the grade 10 + 11 students failed the grade 7 exam (many students getting less than 20%), the remainder of my students barely passed (the highest score was a 65% on the grade 7 exam).
As I mentioned in other posts, the admin tell me not to worry, just fail the students. With that sort of advice, I do not fear losing my job. That being said, I am not sure how to proceed. It seems I have a few options.
I could continue to "teach" the students using the textbook and tests appropriate to their grade level, resulting in almost all the students failing the course.
Alternatively, I could split each class into a grade 6 group and a grade 7 group and teach each according to their actual capacity.
Finally, I could come to class, fake the attendance, give the student unearned test scores, and sit back and relax.
----
Any ideas?
That's right. Shop smart. Shop S-Mart.
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We've kinda been through all this. The problem is not your teaching; the problem is the 3-4 years of teaching that preceded yours. Who the hell is passing these students term after term when they systematically make no progress whatsoever? The answer is of course the management that condones this, whatever they say to your face. Personally, I'd give them fair tests and scores that they deserve and hand them to the management. What they do about it is up to them but your conscience is clear. I have learned from a decade of teaching in Asia that however good my intentions towards my students, I can't effectively help them if the management is pulling in the opposite direction.
I came, I argued, I'm out
- connecticuter
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I think that sounds right. It is interesting to me that my students from grade 3-8 actuall do work and try. I guess that somewhere after grade 8 they realize they do not need to do work in order to pass.
Of course, it is not all roses with my younger kids. I gave 25 pages of workbook homework for my fourth graders to do over the Khmer new year. I was shocked that only 4 had done it: yes I am still a silly idealist.
Rather than engaging in collective punishment or losing my cool and shouting, I reached into my wallet and gave each of the 4 students $1 each. Their eyes nearly fell out their heads.
Of course, it is not all roses with my younger kids. I gave 25 pages of workbook homework for my fourth graders to do over the Khmer new year. I was shocked that only 4 had done it: yes I am still a silly idealist.
Rather than engaging in collective punishment or losing my cool and shouting, I reached into my wallet and gave each of the 4 students $1 each. Their eyes nearly fell out their heads.
That's right. Shop smart. Shop S-Mart.
- vladimir
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Dude, 4 out of 25 is very good! Good job. Really!connecticuter wrote: I gave 25 pages of workbook homework for my fourth graders to do over the Khmer new year. I was shocked that only 4 had done it: yes I am still a silly idealist.
Normally, we would expect zero, except the Chinese female students.
ירי ילדים והפצצת אזרחים דורש אומץ, כמו גם הטרדה מינית של עובדי ההוראה.
Are you serious?!!connecticuter wrote: Rather than engaging in collective punishment or losing my cool and shouting, I reached into my wallet and gave each of the 4 students $1 each. Their eyes nearly fell out their heads.
I am sorry, Conny, but I don't know what is worse: giving 25 pages of homework or paying your students for having done what you asked of them.
A tree born crooked will never grow straight.
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I wonder how this money thing is going to play out. Don't you think it will just cause a temporary boost in homework, only to drop immediately after you fail to pay again?
"This is my happening and it freaks me out!"
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Put on yourself in their shoes.When you were a kid , how much homework would yoy have done over the Christmas holidays?
Dictated to a slave and sent by carrier pigeon.
Yes, Ichabod, massive failure indeed.I gave 25 pages of workbook homework for my fourth graders to do over the Khmer new year.
Jesus Christ. I don't know where to start. So I won't.connecticuter wrote:As I have mentioned in an earlier post, I teach a wide range of age groups. My 10th and 11th grade students being the worst performing students. My teaching style does not change from classroom to classroom. I was having a bit of self doubt when all my other classes were performing at grade level, while the above mentioned two underperformed.
Before the Khmer new year, I gave a chapter test straight out of the book - almost every student in these classes failed. This week I gave my grade 10 and 11 students a different exam. It was composed of the chapter 1 grade 7 exam and the chapter 1 grade 8 exam.
Shocking results. The majority of the grade 10 + 11 students failed the grade 7 exam (many students getting less than 20%), the remainder of my students barely passed (the highest score was a 65% on the grade 7 exam).
As I mentioned in other posts, the admin tell me not to worry, just fail the students. With that sort of advice, I do not fear losing my job. That being said, I am not sure how to proceed. It seems I have a few options.
I could continue to "teach" the students using the textbook and tests appropriate to their grade level, resulting in almost all the students failing the course.
Alternatively, I could split each class into a grade 6 group and a grade 7 group and teach each according to their actual capacity.
Finally, I could come to class, fake the attendance, give the student unearned test scores, and sit back and relax.
----
Any ideas?
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Mate,
I 've been reading your posts. I do believe you are being way too idealistic. IT"S A JOB. Nothing more, nothing less.
Having said that, I've never taught in Cambodia (well not yet anyway
If management do not care, why should you? As long as you get your pay check. Why stress?
I 've been reading your posts. I do believe you are being way too idealistic. IT"S A JOB. Nothing more, nothing less.
Having said that, I've never taught in Cambodia (well not yet anyway
If management do not care, why should you? As long as you get your pay check. Why stress?
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connecticuter wrote:Finally, I could come to class, fake the attendance, give the student unearned test scores, and sit back and relax.
Have you been doing too much yaba? Ok, but stop doing it before class!connecticuter wrote:Rather than engaging in collective punishment or losing my cool and shouting, I reached into my wallet and gave each of the 4 students $1 each.
It seems to me that you're trying very hard here. Much like a dog chasing its own tail. Admirable. Even funny at times! But I think your energies would be better directed once you realise what your job role is. I think your idea of your job role and your employer's idea of your job role are worlds apart. You have likely been given a curriculum, so deliver it to the best of your ability and try to enjoy yourself as you do. If the school is telling you to teach your students to the best of your ability and fail them if needs be, then that is what you do.
Once your job role is along the lines of designing/creating a realistic and enriching curriculum, then you can start to put your energy into that. Maybe you could even offer to assist with such a thing with your current employer? But until that is what is expected of you, and what your employer is hiring you for, I would suggest chilling out and doing the best you can with what you've got. As Andy has mentioned, you're trying to fix 3-4 years of mis-management with a few hours of class-time. An effort in futility.
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Eturnal Youf wrote:
It seems to me that you're trying very hard here. ................... An effort in futility.
Like studying Philosophy at Post Graduate level.
Note to self: Must be nice to morons.
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LOL. Or he could just resign, it would take less time.Eturnal Youf wrote:Once your job role is along the lines of designing/creating a realistic and enriching curriculum, then you can start to put your energy into that. Maybe you could even offer to assist with such a thing with your current employer?
ירי ילדים והפצצת אזרחים דורש אומץ, כמו גם הטרדה מינית של עובדי ההוראה.
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