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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Can I ask a dumb question?  Are professors no longer allowed to use class participation as part of a grade?

I took many classes where class participation was like 10% of the grade.  Now, not every kid was called in every class, but it was enough of a stick that few skipped the class and most paid attention.

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Not a professor but my DC was dinged by attending every weekly discussion session with the TA but not saying anything - it was 10% of grade and the TA gave them a very low grade on that portion.  They had thought they were on track for an A based on very high test scores....not so much....maybe they learned it has consequences? Hard to say (I hope so).  I think some of their other classes had TA's that were just happy for students to attend those sessions vs speaking and attending.[/quote]

The rubric should have defined what "participation" meant.  Also all TAs for a single course should be grading with similar rubrics.  [/quote]

I can't know whether either of these were done (defined participation and consistency across TAs) but honestly, I'd prefer DC to take it as a "lesson" and speak up in class vs use things like these to explain it away. It's a lesson they should have heard (and remedied) already - the message isn't new. You have many great ideas, we'd like to hear you share those ideas in class.[/quote]

Of course your kid should take it as a lesson.

But a professor should always define what goes into a grade in the rubric.  And in reality, should make sure all of their TAs are running their sessions in a similar manner.

Similarly, I strongly dislike profs who change the rubric midway thru the semester.  My kid had one who did that (I did as well in college).  Initially HW/Participation was only 5%.  When majority were doing poorly, they reduced the amount exams accounted for and increased HW/Participation to 25%.  That doesn't bode well for kids who calculated they didn't need the HW/Participation portion to get an A/A-, and instead chose to focus their efforts on other courses.  IMO, those kids should not be penalized for what was a calculated decision made based on the original rubric.  The prof should offer students the choice to use A (original rubric) or B (adjusted rubric) but should not change it for everyone.

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