Reply to Math question my sixth grade daughter's teacher graded wrong

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]grade grubbers[/quote]
Why? For reviewing DC's graded assignments to keep tabs on how well our children are doing as students?
For noticing a question where the corrected answer doesn't make sense to us?
For suggesting that the DD talk to the teacher to clarify her understanding of the question -- i.e. when asking for "complete" items does that mean round to the immediately preceding whole number, or still give the decimal answer.
For wanting to make sure that our DC's work is marked correctly, that they understand why they missed the problems that they missed and how to do better next time? For wanting to make sure our DC receive the grade their work earns if indeed the teacher did make a mistake when marking the problem incorrect?

What of this makes us grade grubbers instead of good, involved parents who value our DC's education?[/quote]

the teacher worded the question sloppily. the kid missed a point.  but kid learned the material. why grub for a point.  If it is about learning, hooray -  teacher and kid did a great job (teacher taught and kid learned).  Why grub for a point?  If this was my kid, I'd say, "oh, this is what the teacher meant by 'complete,' so yes, you were right" (yay, your answer showed you learned!) and be done.  You do know education is about learning right, not grades.  Grades are just a sign of learning.  Sure you can point out to the teacher that she worded the question sloppily and get your point back, but why?  I suppose if there is a pattern of sloppyily worded questions you'll have to bring it up with her so she can stop writing sloppily worded questions, but if it is just one, why? Answer: you are a grade grubber.[/quote]

If the kid's answer was wrong, it makes sense to talk to the teacher to clarify how such questions are to be interpreted in the future. If the kid's answer was correct, then ethically and practically the kid should have that point. Why is it bad to receive the grade your work has earned? Why the disdain (calling people "grade grubbers") for those who wish their work to be marked fairly and correctly? Are you teaching your kid to just accept when someone in authority makes an honest mistake that is to their detriment? Because I would prefer that my child learn the polite and constructive way to have a conversation that will determine whether or not there was a mistake in assessment, and if there was to get it corrected.

It's not the size of the error (i.e. only one point) it's the principal of the matter (one's work into which one has put time and effort should be fairly assessed and given the credit it has earned) and the learning opportunity (how to handle a small potential mistake by a middle school teacher, so the child learns what to do when in the future it's a more significant concern over a grade such as on a high school or university level major exam).[/quote]

1) It is clear how such questiosn are to be interpreted in the future.  2) How about teaching your child to pick her battles.  There are things worth fighting for and things not.   This is espeically true in a work situation. Believe me, I work with people who endlessly demand tiny errors be corrected "on principle."  These people are not doing their careers any favors.[/quote]

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