How to address biased HS teacher

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC has a teacher with known conservative views on many social issues (pro-choice, against gay marriage, aligned with groups that do not believe in affirmative action or kids who are trans using their preferred gender bathroom) based on previous advocacy work.

This year DC wrote what we thought was an excellent paper related to about a particular historical moment in the LGBT rights movement, and got a poor grade. When she got the rubric and grading back many items that were marked off did not make any sense. When she tried to inquire with the teacher the teacher was very defensive and kept coming back to the point that the teacher did not agree with the thesis. The teacher also came down on DC for not presenting the other view point which is that LGBT rights are not a good thing. DC did mention that there is opposition from some groups, especially religious groups, but it was not half her paper because the assignment was not to present all sides of an issue but to pick a moment and make an argument about it. One of my good friends is a HS teacher and read the assignment and paper and was shocked about the grade and thought this needed to be brought up to the administration.

We are not sure what to advise DC to do next if anything. Is this something you would bring up and how would you do it? Would you go to the teacher first? The department head or the principal? This is a public school.

You think the paper is wonderful because it represents your point of view and you feel that you are proving to the teacher she is wrong. The paper in fact could suck. Just depends. Does the rubric say to provide opposing viewpoints and explain them? Refute them? Teens' ideas of refuting an argument can be based on feelings but maybe the point was to refute the arguments with actual facts and citations. Even so they might pick the wrong facts that don't actually refute argument. It's still a learning process.

Your friend of course is going to tell you the paper is brilliant even if she doesn't think so.

Other posters are right, you and your DD just want the teacher to be wrong. It's a waste of time. Don't teach your kid this kind of nonsense. They don't need to try and fix the teachers view points. That's not her responsibility and it's not even possible. Do your kid a favor and just tell them yeah this wasn't the right approach, learn to tread your audience, and don't waste any more time on this.

These suggestions to cater to the teacher's personal biases, don't disturb the waters and just get your A and move on are terrible advice. Teens should be encouraged to consider different perspectives and stand up for what they believe in - whether it's pro-LGBTQ or pro-life. Telling them to just appease the teacher is a disservice to them and limits their education and learning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I would not have triggered such a stubbornly-prejudiced teacher with such a topic, OP!

Your child has to learn socio-emotional intelligence, and consider whether it is worth their while to provoke someone in authority and what they expect to gain from that action.

Now the deed is done, you cannot let the teacher's unfair decision slide. Please contact the Principal, produce the paper, and make your case.

I've told my kids the same. As far as teachers go, give them what they want & tell them what they want to hear. Get your A and move on with life.

Teacher here. This is what I’ve told my own children. Part of life is figuring out your audience.

I suspect the teacher said the paper didn’t contain a sufficient counter-argument, which is likely on the rubric for any persuasive assignment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Liberal teachers are biased, too. Except their bias is tolerated in teachers' lounges.

+1
And in the classroom and in the hallways.

You really enjoy your Fox News fantasies of teachers running through the hallways shaming straight white kids. In reality, teachers just want their students to listen, follow basic directions, and submit work on time. They don’t even have time or resources to implement their radical socialist CRT agendas!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC has a teacher with known conservative views on many social issues (pro-choice, against gay marriage, aligned with groups that do not believe in affirmative action or kids who are trans using their preferred gender bathroom) based on previous advocacy work.

This year DC wrote what we thought was an excellent paper related to about a particular historical moment in the LGBT rights movement, and got a poor grade. When she got the rubric and grading back many items that were marked off did not make any sense. When she tried to inquire with the teacher the teacher was very defensive and kept coming back to the point that the teacher did not agree with the thesis. The teacher also came down on DC for not presenting the other view point which is that LGBT rights are not a good thing. DC did mention that there is opposition from some groups, especially religious groups, but it was not half her paper because the assignment was not to present all sides of an issue but to pick a moment and make an argument about it. One of my good friends is a HS teacher and read the assignment and paper and was shocked about the grade and thought this needed to be brought up to the administration.

We are not sure what to advise DC to do next if anything. Is this something you would bring up and how would you do it? Would you go to the teacher first? The department head or the principal? This is a public school.

Teachers with rainbow hair and nose bullrings can share their sexuality and orientation like it’s all good but someone who opposes wokeism is wrong. Goooooootcha

Oops, you typed “wokeism” (and all that other drivel). Your low IQ is showing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP - If you kid is in high school, I don't think you should do anything. Have your child go his/her/their counselor and speak with the counselor about the issue. They are trained to deal with these issues and if warranted, will address the issue with the department head.

+1
It never would have entered my head to complain to the principal about a grade I got in HS for whatever reason. And my parents would never have intervened to over ride them grade. Crazy helicopter parents on here saying to complain up about 1 grade on 1 assignment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC has a teacher with known conservative views on many social issues (pro-choice, against gay marriage, aligned with groups that do not believe in affirmative action or kids who are trans using their preferred gender bathroom) based on previous advocacy work.

This year DC wrote what we thought was an excellent paper related to about a particular historical moment in the LGBT rights movement, and got a poor grade. When she got the rubric and grading back many items that were marked off did not make any sense. When she tried to inquire with the teacher the teacher was very defensive and kept coming back to the point that the teacher did not agree with the thesis. The teacher also came down on DC for not presenting the other view point which is that LGBT rights are not a good thing. DC did mention that there is opposition from some groups, especially religious groups, but it was not half her paper because the assignment was not to present all sides of an issue but to pick a moment and make an argument about it. One of my good friends is a HS teacher and read the assignment and paper and was shocked about the grade and thought this needed to be brought up to the administration.

We are not sure what to advise DC to do next if anything. Is this something you would bring up and how would you do it? Would you go to the teacher first? The department head or the principal? This is a public school.

Teachers with rainbow hair and nose bullrings can share their sexuality and orientation like it’s all good but someone who opposes wokeism is wrong. Goooooootcha

Oops, you typed “wokeism” (and all that other drivel). Your low IQ is showing.

Kewl. I tested over 160 IQ since you’re so interested. I also have one BA, an MA and an MS. Coach youth sports and run my own business besides teaching your lame offspring. But ok, Einstein.

[Anonymous]

Teachers have bias. They have political beliefs. This is just reality. Without seeing it, it is impossible for me to tell if the poor grade really is due to the teacher disagreeing with your child’s opinions or if their thesis is unclearly written or the evidence isn’t supporting the thesis or any number of structural errors in the writing. As a teacher, I would encourage you reach out to the teacher to discuss the grade. If they insist the grade stands *because they disagree with your child’s position* then escalate but that may not be the case. Ironically, your teacher friend’s bias towards you may make their judgment on the assignment questionable.

I’m a liberal teacher, I work with conservative and liberal teachers. We can’t shove our beliefs on the kids but they can usually infer and that’s not a terrible thing, even if their beliefs don’t align. So the bias itself isn’t an issue unless it prevents your child from being fairly graded, but it’s unclear if that’s the case here

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I would not have triggered such a stubbornly-prejudiced teacher with such a topic, OP!

Your child has to learn socio-emotional intelligence, and consider whether it is worth their while to provoke someone in authority and what they expect to gain from that action.

Now the deed is done, you cannot let the teacher's unfair decision slide. Please contact the Principal, produce the paper, and make your case.

I've told my kids the same. As far as teachers go, give them what they want & tell them what they want to hear. Get your A and move on with life.

Teacher here. This is what I’ve told my own children. Part of life is figuring out your audience.

I suspect the teacher said the paper didn’t contain a sufficient counter-argument, which is likely on the rubric for any persuasive assignment.

I’m the teacher PP and this is true. If OP’s kid is in high school this may be SOL prep. The writing SOL, which is always persuasive writing, does require a counter argument. So the teacher may not be saying “you personally need to consider why gay people shouldn’t have rights “ but “your thesis says they should and you lack a counter argument that is necessary to be considered to have met the standards of this assessment.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Liberal teachers are biased, too. Except their bias is tolerated in teachers' lounges.

+1
And in the classroom and in the hallways.

You really enjoy your Fox News fantasies of teachers running through the hallways shaming straight white kids. In reality, teachers just want their students to listen, follow basic directions, and submit work on time. They don’t even have time or resources to implement their radical socialist CRT agendas!

It's not about indoctrination. Our kids' experience has been in the classroom with teachers showing their clear biases, siding with the majority of classmates who share their opinions, and our kids not feeling comfortable participating in the class discussions as the sole differing voice. What I especially object to is this type of thing happening in classes that shouldn't have anything to do with the subject matter being taught.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Liberal teachers are biased, too. Except their bias is tolerated in teachers' lounges.

+1
And in the classroom and in the hallways.

You really enjoy your Fox News fantasies of teachers running through the hallways shaming straight white kids. In reality, teachers just want their students to listen, follow basic directions, and submit work on time. They don’t even have time or resources to implement their radical socialist CRT agendas!

It's not about indoctrination. Our kids' experience has been in the classroom with teachers showing their clear biases, siding with the majority of classmates who share their opinions, and our kids not feeling comfortable participating in the class discussions as the sole differing voice. What I especially object to is this type of thing happening in classes that shouldn't have anything to do with the subject matter being taught.

PP -- and I'll add that Fox news is banned in our house; so no, it's not my enjoyment of Fantasy Fox. It's my kid's more conservative values and opinions being shut down by clearly liberal teachers and not feeling comfortable participating in class discussions, even in subjects where such discussions should be taking place like history and world affairs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I would not have triggered such a stubbornly-prejudiced teacher with such a topic, OP!

Your child has to learn socio-emotional intelligence, and consider whether it is worth their while to provoke someone in authority and what they expect to gain from that action.

Now the deed is done, you cannot let the teacher's unfair decision slide. Please contact the Principal, produce the paper, and make your case.

I've told my kids the same. As far as teachers go, give them what they want & tell them what they want to hear. Get your A and move on with life.

Teacher here. This is what I’ve told my own children. Part of life is figuring out your audience.

I suspect the teacher said the paper didn’t contain a sufficient counter-argument, which is likely on the rubric for any persuasive assignment.

I’m the teacher PP and this is true. If OP’s kid is in high school this may be SOL prep. The writing SOL, which is always persuasive writing, does require a counter argument. So the teacher may not be saying “you personally need to consider why gay people shouldn’t have rights “ but “your thesis says they should and you lack a counter argument that is necessary to be considered to have met the standards of this assessment.”

Naive question from an old-timer who graduated decades ago: if it's supposed to be a persuasive argument, why does it require including the counter-argument - other than to dispute opposing points? When you're trying to persuade someone to your opinion, you would focus on the rationale for your opinion rather than the rationale of opposing opinions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I would not have triggered such a stubbornly-prejudiced teacher with such a topic, OP!

Your child has to learn socio-emotional intelligence, and consider whether it is worth their while to provoke someone in authority and what they expect to gain from that action.

Now the deed is done, you cannot let the teacher's unfair decision slide. Please contact the Principal, produce the paper, and make your case.

I've told my kids the same. As far as teachers go, give them what they want & tell them what they want to hear. Get your A and move on with life.

Teacher here. This is what I’ve told my own children. Part of life is figuring out your audience.

I suspect the teacher said the paper didn’t contain a sufficient counter-argument, which is likely on the rubric for any persuasive assignment.

I’m the teacher PP and this is true. If OP’s kid is in high school this may be SOL prep. The writing SOL, which is always persuasive writing, does require a counter argument. So the teacher may not be saying “you personally need to consider why gay people shouldn’t have rights “ but “your thesis says they should and you lack a counter argument that is necessary to be considered to have met the standards of this assessment.”

Naive question from an old-timer who graduated decades ago: if it's supposed to be a persuasive argument, why does it require including the counter-argument - other than to dispute opposing points? When you're trying to persuade someone to your opinion, you would focus on the rationale for your opinion rather than the rationale of opposing opinions.

Because you have crafted a stronger argument not only when you know what you think and why but when you can thoughtfully consider another viewpoint and their argument AND refute it (a counter argument also needs a refutation). It strengthens your argument because you then must defend it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Liberal teachers are biased, too. Except their bias is tolerated in teachers' lounges.

+1
And in the classroom and in the hallways.

You really enjoy your Fox News fantasies of teachers running through the hallways shaming straight white kids. In reality, teachers just want their students to listen, follow basic directions, and submit work on time. They don’t even have time or resources to implement their radical socialist CRT agendas!

It's not about indoctrination. Our kids' experience has been in the classroom with teachers showing their clear biases, siding with the majority of classmates who share their opinions, and our kids not feeling comfortable participating in the class discussions as the sole differing voice. What I especially object to is this type of thing happening in classes that shouldn't have anything to do with the subject matter being taught.

PP -- and I'll add that Fox news is banned in our house; so no, it's not my enjoyment of Fantasy Fox. It's my kid's more conservative values and opinions being shut down by clearly liberal teachers and not feeling comfortable participating in class discussions, even in subjects where such discussions should be taking place like history and world affairs.

Weird. I have had conservative students and they definitely speak up. Sounds like your kid isn’t convicted enough in their views to share.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC has a teacher with known conservative views on many social issues (pro-choice, against gay marriage, aligned with groups that do not believe in affirmative action or kids who are trans using their preferred gender bathroom) based on previous advocacy work.

This year DC wrote what we thought was an excellent paper related to about a particular historical moment in the LGBT rights movement, and got a poor grade. When she got the rubric and grading back many items that were marked off did not make any sense. When she tried to inquire with the teacher the teacher was very defensive and kept coming back to the point that the teacher did not agree with the thesis. The teacher also came down on DC for not presenting the other view point which is that LGBT rights are not a good thing. DC did mention that there is opposition from some groups, especially religious groups, but it was not half her paper because the assignment was not to present all sides of an issue but to pick a moment and make an argument about it. One of my good friends is a HS teacher and read the assignment and paper and was shocked about the grade and thought this needed to be brought up to the administration.

We are not sure what to advise DC to do next if anything. Is this something you would bring up and how would you do it? Would you go to the teacher first? The department head or the principal? This is a public school.

Let me get the popcorn—99 percent of the time my kid has to write papers that will please all her woke teachers. Maybe you understand what it is like. No one seems to care about teacher bias against kids who do not identify as liberal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD had a teacher who expressed stereotypical views against certain racial groups. She would make comments about how certain students must be good at certain sports or other students must be good at math/science. She was an English teacher and it was obvious she felt only one group was good at writing. I spent the whole year wondering how to bring this up to the school and never did because it is such a difficult topic but I now spend way too much time thinking about how much I regret not raising it.

There must be many teachers like this who feel strongly on all political sides and most of them set aside their. biases when they walk into the classrooms but not all. I think more should be done to try to address this problem especially given what is going on with the whole critical race theory issue and the book banning nowadays.

That's the thing - if people don't want ideas on one side of the political spectrum in the classroom, they have to keep other sides out too. That's the whole idea of a viewpoint neutral classroom
-conservative who is very disgusted by what happened to OP's kid

Civil and human rights issues can't be "both sided." There is no legitimate side that says black people shouldn't be treated equally, for example, or that the holocaust was a good thing. The only other "side" to any LGBTQ issue is a religious one, which has no place in the classroom.