Dear Parents

Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
I’m just giving less assignments this year.


I hope you’re not an English teacher.


+1
ES Teacher
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Children have a right to get their assignment graded on time. If you are overwhelmed complain to your admin that you need more help, or quite like everyone else that doesn’t get adequate support.


The right?

The RIGHT?

Tell me, where is this right enshrined?

No. Just, no.


Right to information and participation
Parents have the legal right, via the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA, 1974), to inspect their child’s educational records at the school, to have them explained if necessary, to request updates and corrections, and to have their child’s education records sent to another school in a timely manner if they wish to have their child transfer schools.

https://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/the-greatschools-bill-of-education-rights-for-public-school-parents/


Their educational records referred to in this law DO NOT include their latest math test.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Children have a right to get their assignment graded on time. If you are overwhelmed complain to your admin that you need more help, or quite like everyone else that doesn’t get adequate support.


The right?

The RIGHT?

Tell me, where is this right enshrined?

No. Just, no.


Right to information and participation
Parents have the legal right, via the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA, 1974), to inspect their child’s educational records at the school, to have them explained if necessary, to request updates and corrections, and to have their child’s education records sent to another school in a timely manner if they wish to have their child transfer schools.

https://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/the-greatschools-bill-of-education-rights-for-public-school-parents/


Their educational records referred to in this law DO NOT include their latest math test.


Of course they do. If I want to schedule a meeting the day after the test to review the results that’s my right.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Children have a right to get their assignment graded on time. If you are overwhelmed complain to your admin that you need more help, or quite like everyone else that doesn’t get adequate support.


The right?

The RIGHT?

Tell me, where is this right enshrined?

No. Just, no.


Right to information and participation
Parents have the legal right, via the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA, 1974), to inspect their child’s educational records at the school, to have them explained if necessary, to request updates and corrections, and to have their child’s education records sent to another school in a timely manner if they wish to have their child transfer schools.

https://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/the-greatschools-bill-of-education-rights-for-public-school-parents/


Their educational records referred to in this law DO NOT include their latest math test.


Of course they do. If I want to schedule a meeting the day after the test to review the results that’s my right.


+1 More parents should do this if they’re having trouble getting grades back from teachers.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Children have a right to get their assignment graded on time. If you are overwhelmed complain to your admin that you need more help, or quite like everyone else that doesn’t get adequate support.


The right?

The RIGHT?

Tell me, where is this right enshrined?

No. Just, no.


Right to information and participation
Parents have the legal right, via the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA, 1974), to inspect their child’s educational records at the school, to have them explained if necessary, to request updates and corrections, and to have their child’s education records sent to another school in a timely manner if they wish to have their child transfer schools.

https://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/the-greatschools-bill-of-education-rights-for-public-school-parents/


Their educational records referred to in this law DO NOT include their latest math test.


Of course they do. If I want to schedule a meeting the day after the test to review the results that’s my right.


+1 More parents should do this if they’re having trouble getting grades back from teachers.


Y'all are crazy. This is not reasonable AT ALL.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Nope. Sorry. Teachers who can’t grade in the time frame required by the district need to figure it out. That’s crucial feedback for learning and not providing it is negligent.


I'm a very hard line on this as well.
Grade on time or you will be hearing from me.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Nope. Sorry. Teachers who can’t grade in the time frame required by the district need to figure it out. That’s crucial feedback for learning and not providing it is negligent.


Why? It’s not like anyone is going to fire me this year.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:I’m just giving less assignments this year. Or creating worksheets that self check, or using computer programs that score immediately. I have way way way too many students to give consistent, meaningful feedback this year. 150 students x1 minute each is 2.5 hours, my entire unencumbered planning for the week. When do I plan lessons? When do i contact families to inform them of Johnny’s struggles with xyz? When do I make copies?

You want real feedback, I need 100 kids, not 150. I need 1 prep, not 3. I need 5+ hours a week of dedicated planning, not 3. I need curriculum to fall back on so I don’t have to make it all from scratch when I’m handed yet another prep I’ve never taught before.

Will I try my butt off to get your kids feedback? Absolutely. But I have only given one assignment in each class so far and already spent 4 hours today (sunday) grading. That’s burnout in a sentence. And when I quit because I can’t keep up, there’s no one left to fill my role.

Please handle your kids’ teachers with care this year. We’re (mostly) all really, really struggling to do this job well and I’m not sure it can be in the current conditions.


Look, I'm a big supporter of teachers. Y'all have been treated miserably the last couple of years. But, posts like yours grate on my nerves.
Your are there to teach and that includes grading and feedback. Always has. Your work conditions from the school are between you and the admin. YOu still are required to get the work done to educate. And grading/feedback is ESSENTIAL (I have taught).

I'm sorry you are working in off hours or times you previously hadn't had to work - join.the.club. But, you half-a----ing it through your curriculum is not doing these kids any favors. And you are going to get pushback from parents if you continue that way.

My kid has only a few years left in public school - thank god. We've supplemented work the last 3 years and given the feedback that we are capable of giving in the void of COVID and staff shortages. BUt I'm tired of it. If you don't like your situation -quit. At least I'd know where i need to get extra help instead of assuming your educating our kids, when it doesn't sound like you are. F
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Children have a right to get their assignment graded on time. If you are overwhelmed complain to your admin that you need more help, or quite like everyone else that doesn’t get adequate support.


The right?

The RIGHT?

Tell me, where is this right enshrined?

No. Just, no.


Right to information and participation
Parents have the legal right, via the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA, 1974), to inspect their child’s educational records at the school, to have them explained if necessary, to request updates and corrections, and to have their child’s education records sent to another school in a timely manner if they wish to have their child transfer schools.

https://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/the-greatschools-bill-of-education-rights-for-public-school-parents/


Their educational records referred to in this law DO NOT include their latest math test.


Of course they do. If I want to schedule a meeting the day after the test to review the results that’s my right.


+1 More parents should do this if they’re having trouble getting grades back from teachers.


I (as a teacher) agree to that appointment date, you don’t just set it. Good luck, LOL.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Children have a right to get their assignment graded on time. If you are overwhelmed complain to your admin that you need more help, or quite like everyone else that doesn’t get adequate support.


The right?

The RIGHT?

Tell me, where is this right enshrined?

No. Just, no.


Right to information and participation
Parents have the legal right, via the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA, 1974), to inspect their child’s educational records at the school, to have them explained if necessary, to request updates and corrections, and to have their child’s education records sent to another school in a timely manner if they wish to have their child transfer schools.

https://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/the-greatschools-bill-of-education-rights-for-public-school-parents/


Their educational records referred to in this law DO NOT include their latest math test.


Of course they do. If I want to schedule a meeting the day after the test to review the results that’s my right.


+1 More parents should do this if they’re having trouble getting grades back from teachers.


I (as a teacher) agree to that appointment date, you don’t just set it. Good luck, LOL.


I'm not advocating the meeting after the most recent test. However, if you think you, as the teacher, are the last word on it, you clearly haven't been teaching in FCPS long.
So, you can take some of that lucky yourself. You can bet if I want a meeting, I will get it.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Children have a right to get their assignment graded on time. If you are overwhelmed complain to your admin that you need more help, or quite like everyone else that doesn’t get adequate support.


The right?

The RIGHT?

Tell me, where is this right enshrined?

No. Just, no.


Right to information and participation
Parents have the legal right, via the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA, 1974), to inspect their child’s educational records at the school, to have them explained if necessary, to request updates and corrections, and to have their child’s education records sent to another school in a timely manner if they wish to have their child transfer schools.

https://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/the-greatschools-bill-of-education-rights-for-public-school-parents/


Their educational records referred to in this law DO NOT include their latest math test.


Of course they do. If I want to schedule a meeting the day after the test to review the results that’s my right.


+1 More parents should do this if they’re having trouble getting grades back from teachers.


I (as a teacher) agree to that appointment date, you don’t just set it. Good luck, LOL.


You have to comply within 45 days per the law, so every single day I can technically make a formal request for a records review 45 days from now and every day you have to show up.

https://studentprivacy.ed.gov/node/548/#0.1_se34.1.99_112
Anonymous

Anonymous wrote:
Nope. Sorry. Teachers who can’t grade in the time frame required by the district need to figure it out. That’s crucial feedback for learning and not providing it is negligent.



I'm a very hard line on this as well.
Grade on time or you will be hearing from me.


I think both of you are missing the point. It's not that teachers don't think work should be graded in a timely manner. It's that teachers should not be THREATENED by parents. In this example, the teacher was threatened immediately by a parent before there was even any evidence that the teacher wasn't grading work promptly. The assumption here--that the teacher is lazy and needs the whip cracked at them in order to work--is outrageous. Imagine if you were treated this way by your clients/co-workers.

If you have a problem with the teacher, by all means approach them. But don't threaten them, and don't approach their boss/the PTA/DCUM before you talk to them.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Nope. Sorry. Teachers who can’t grade in the time frame required by the district need to figure it out. That’s crucial feedback for learning and not providing it is negligent.



I'm a very hard line on this as well.
Grade on time or you will be hearing from me.


I think both of you are missing the point. It's not that teachers don't think work should be graded in a timely manner. It's that teachers should not be THREATENED by parents. In this example, the teacher was threatened immediately by a parent before there was even any evidence that the teacher wasn't grading work promptly. The assumption here--that the teacher is lazy and needs the whip cracked at them in order to work--is outrageous. Imagine if you were treated this way by your clients/co-workers.

If you have a problem with the teacher, by all means approach them. But don't threaten them, and don't approach their boss/the PTA/DCUM before you talk to them.


The email was unreasonable, BUT, based on experience, teachers often have plenty of excuses why work isn't graded on time or regularly, which is frustrating. As the teacher in the video notes, parents are not in charge of teachers or their working conditions. We have no control over any factor preventing a teacher from promptly grading work. Whatever the excuse, that doesn't mean that it is unreasonable to expect teachers to grade work regularly. The purpose of grades is to inform students, and by extension, parents, about what students need to work on. Establishing the expectation that parents should accept teachers' work unconditionally or else the teacher will quit reinforces the perception that standards of "professionalism" for teacher differs from the rest of the working world. The system is broken, but the fix should not be that students and parents accept whatever happens because they are lucky there are warm bodies in the classroom. Why would anyone support increasing teacher salaries if the end product will be the same?
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Nope. Sorry. Teachers who can’t grade in the time frame required by the district need to figure it out. That’s crucial feedback for learning and not providing it is negligent.



I'm a very hard line on this as well.
Grade on time or you will be hearing from me.


I think both of you are missing the point. It's not that teachers don't think work should be graded in a timely manner. It's that teachers should not be THREATENED by parents. In this example, the teacher was threatened immediately by a parent before there was even any evidence that the teacher wasn't grading work promptly. The assumption here--that the teacher is lazy and needs the whip cracked at them in order to work--is outrageous. Imagine if you were treated this way by your clients/co-workers.

If you have a problem with the teacher, by all means approach them. But don't threaten them, and don't approach their boss/the PTA/DCUM before you talk to them.


Nothing about that email was threatening, AT ALL. Stating expectations of someone expected to educate your child is pretty common place for informed parents. I’d respond with, majority of assignments are graded within 72 hours. I’m happy to accommodate your request, but would like to find a communication system that works daily to send home. I’ll put your child in charge of filling it out, so please let me know if they miss anything. Then create a sheet for each student to record their assignments and graded work, yes on paper, and delegate some responsibility/teach children responsibility. That way it comes off as you’re willing to work with them but you’re also doing your job of teaching. It takes some heat off you and puts it on the child, who should be learning to be responsible for keeping up with grades anyways.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Nope. Sorry. Teachers who can’t grade in the time frame required by the district need to figure it out. That’s crucial feedback for learning and not providing it is negligent.



I'm a very hard line on this as well.
Grade on time or you will be hearing from me.


I think both of you are missing the point. It's not that teachers don't think work should be graded in a timely manner. It's that teachers should not be THREATENED by parents. In this example, the teacher was threatened immediately by a parent before there was even any evidence that the teacher wasn't grading work promptly. The assumption here--that the teacher is lazy and needs the whip cracked at them in order to work--is outrageous. Imagine if you were treated this way by your clients/co-workers.

If you have a problem with the teacher, by all means approach them. But don't threaten them, and don't approach their boss/the PTA/DCUM before you talk to them.


The email was unreasonable, BUT, based on experience, teachers often have plenty of excuses why work isn't graded on time or regularly, which is frustrating. As the teacher in the video notes, parents are not in charge of teachers or their working conditions. We have no control over any factor preventing a teacher from promptly grading work. Whatever the excuse, that doesn't mean that it is unreasonable to expect teachers to grade work regularly. The purpose of grades is to inform students, and by extension, parents, about what students need to work on. Establishing the expectation that parents should accept teachers' work unconditionally or else the teacher will quit reinforces the perception that standards of "professionalism" for teacher differs from the rest of the working world. The system is broken, but the fix should not be that students and parents accept whatever happens because they are lucky there are warm bodies in the classroom. Why would anyone support increasing teacher salaries if the end product will be the same?


+1 If you’re not doing your job parents have lots of leeway in making you do it, most parents just don’t take time to know their rights.
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