Failing a class

[Anonymous]

Dd( 11th grade) told me she may receive an F on a ceramics because on her final project where they were supposed to make mugs, she broke the mugs she initially made and had to start over, and then ran out of time to finish the project. According to her, the teacher mentioned that ceramics is a very difficult class (that the class made her cry when she took it in college).
I check her grades weekly and so far the teacher only reports participation every week and its been As every week so this caught me off guard. Dd said she tried going in early to finish the project, but still didn’t have enough time to complete it. She also mentioned that the teacher is teaching two classes at the same time, so it has been difficult to get help or explanations when she’s confused.

I’ve emailed the teacher to better understand the situation and see if there’s any opportunity for her to complete or revise the project, and I’m waiting to hear back, but DD said when she asked for more time, the teacher said no.
Im trying to understand how to best support her , but this came out of nowhere and not sure what i can ask of the teacher at this point. Dd said counselor told her she would need to retake the class next year if she wants to remove the F on her transcript. Any advice on how to handle this

[Anonymous]

I would take. Withdraw over having an F in an elective…

[Anonymous]

So, she let the teacher know immediately when the mug broke, right? Hopefully your DD didn't hide that fact and then secretly try to catch-up.

[Anonymous]

IDK, if indeed she ends with an F, which I don't think she will, she retakes next year. And never, ever, takes an art class again, if she gpa is important to her. I wouldn't want to be evaluated like this. My guess is, magically she will not end up with an F but a C. Likely the teacher doesn't want it announced to everyone in the class that the teacher really isn't such a strict grader.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:IDK, if indeed she ends with an F, which I don't think she will, she retakes next year. And never, ever, takes an art class again, if she gpa is important to her. I wouldn't want to be evaluated like this. My guess is, magically she will not end up with an F but a C. Likely the teacher doesn't want it announced to everyone in the class that the teacher really isn't such a strict grader.

The art class is a requirement for her graduation. The teacher is supposedly a tough grader and told them the class made her cry in college so they should expect it to be hard

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, she let the teacher know immediately when the mug broke, right? Hopefully your DD didn't hide that fact and then secretly try to catch-up.

Im not sure she let her know ( she is shy) bug she said they have to use a wheel that is hard to operate and the concepts are hard so it takes her a while to understand and complete the work

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would take. Withdraw over having an F in an elective…

Is that even possible at this stage?

[Anonymous]

that totally sucks. way to turn a kid off of art. i feel like part of art is trying. What did she learn from broken mug? Right? Not enough, too much clay, too hot, too cold? I mean isn't that part of the process? this is totally crazy to get an F for. Maybe a C, but an F? I'd be upset too.

[Anonymous]

You hire a tutor like you would for english or math. In other words, get her a session or 2 with a private instructor.

[Anonymous]

It is only March. Shouldn’t there be more projects to come, that will balance the grade out a bit more? Otherwise what are they doing in that class from now until June?

Maybe she can’t redo the project but could she do some work for extra credit? Something like that? This seems very harsh.

IME most HS electives teachers are reluctant to actually fail a kid, unless there is a severe issue with effort or behavior. One of my own kids also has a horrid experience with ceramics BTW. Also related to big project gone wrong. I think she ended up with a C in there when all was said and done. Maybe even a B-. But, it was very stressful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:IDK, if indeed she ends with an F, which I don't think she will, she retakes next year. And never, ever, takes an art class again, if she gpa is important to her. I wouldn't want to be evaluated like this. My guess is, magically she will not end up with an F but a C. Likely the teacher doesn't want it announced to everyone in the class that the teacher really isn't such a strict grader.

The art class is a requirement for her graduation. The teacher is supposedly a tough grader and told them the class made her cry in college so they should expect it to be hard

I’m sorry to any art lovers out there but this is completely absurd. A ceramics class making people cry? For goodness sake. Surely at least part of the grade should be based on effort- at least enough to not flunk as long as they are trying (like PE).

[Anonymous]

I took ceramics in college - I wanted to take it so badly and then I was pretty miserable. It's hard. I'm sorry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is only March. Shouldn’t there be more projects to come, that will balance the grade out a bit more? Otherwise what are they doing in that class from now until June?

Maybe she can’t redo the project but could she do some work for extra credit? Something like that? This seems very harsh.

IME most HS electives teachers are reluctant to actually fail a kid, unless there is a severe issue with effort or behavior. One of my own kids also has a horrid experience with ceramics BTW. Also related to big project gone wrong. I think she ended up with a C in there when all was said and done. Maybe even a B-. But, it was very stressful.

They have 2 terms. Term 1 ends at the end of March and term 2 starts in April so her grade for term 1 will be F. That’s the term she will have to retake next year. Im waiting for the teacher to get back to me on what else she could do but she said the teacher did refuse giving her more time

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:that totally sucks. way to turn a kid off of art. i feel like part of art is trying. What did she learn from broken mug? Right? Not enough, too much clay, too hot, too cold? I mean isn't that part of the process? this is totally crazy to get an F for. Maybe a C, but an F? I'd be upset too.

That’s how I feel too, im baffled! All her other grades are As but this project supposedly counts for 50% of your grade

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You hire a tutor like you would for english or math. In other words, get her a session or 2 with a private instructor.

I dont think its that simple. She’d need someone with all the equipment