student absent for assessments and wants a rec

[Anonymous]

Let me be the devil’s advocate. Let’s say the student is battling medical issues. Otherwise attends class, thoughtfully contributes to discussions, and is otherwise a good student. Why would you add onto their plate a poor recommendation? Are you 100% confident that their absences haven’t been excused? You need to go based on what was reported to the school otherwise you are teetering on being discriminatory. Yes, it sucks to create a new version of a test but that’s your part of your job. Either give the same assessment (which you have no way of knowing if it’s been shared) or rewrite it.

[Anonymous]

OP,
I write many recommendations each year, about 40-50. As you know, they can take an hour each to write. Because my time is valuable and limited, I say no to the ones I don’t feel comfortable writing. This one would fall in that category.

At my high school, it’s accepted that this isn’t an official part of a teacher’s job. We all do them, of course, because students need them and we want to help them with their college goals. Nobody is going to force us to write one, however, so I feel comfortable telling students they should look for someone else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I always write positive recommendations, otherwise I decline politely to write the letter.

Don’t be an asshat by agreeing then writing a red flag letter.

But it is okay for the student to game the system by being absent for tests then probably asking people what was on the test, have others record the test, and/or having more time to study? A student like this is going to whine to admin why they didn’t get a letter of recommendation.

Since you're fine making accusations with no evidence, why don't you add drug use during their absences as well? Maybe some larceny for good measure?

How dumb do you think high school teachers are? You don't think it was telling that the student said they were going to be absent, then all of a sudden when the teacher said they were going to create another test just for the student, miraculously the student showed up for the original test. The student has a history of being absent on test days and not other days. It is obvious what is happening- the student is gaming the system by being absent then getting the questions from friends or friends are recording the test on their phones and selling the tests. The level of cheating on tests in high schools is out of control.

[Anonymous]

Just decline it. If it’s literally all the time then yes I would think it’s fishy too.