Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've had my kid contact his teacher. I've never personally intervened.

+100

If your kid can’t advocate for themself, what’s the point? Is Mommy also going to call his boss about the mate report?

This.

Private school teacher here.

To the parent: Unless there’s an error with the math, do not place any phone calls, do not email the teacher, and do not visit administration. You’ll embarrass yourself and your child. What’s worse, you risk earning a reputation among the faculty as a difficult parent—the same faculty from whom your child will seek letters of recommendation.

So what to do?

If your CHILD is convinced there is a mistake, show him/her how to advocate properly and set up a meeting. If there is no mistake encourage them to set up a meeting. At that meeting they should be sincere about their purpose. “Mr./Ms. X, I know the math may have yielded a grade in the B+ range, but if there were an opportunity to complete additional projects, I’m certainly interested.” Then let the teacher take it from there.

However, if your child coasted in cruise control throughout the semester, then do not be surprised if the teachers declines. The trick, I submit, is to keep the conversation professional and focused. Do not dwell on how much the grade matters or how hard they worked.

Anonymous wrote:Are you for real? I’m trying to imagine asking NCS, STA, Sidwell to change a grade bc parent feels kid is an A- vs B+ student.

I teach at a “Big 3”/“Big 5”/“Big Whatever” and you’d be shocked how often it happens. I have never acquiesced.

Anonymous wrote:Are you for real? I’m trying to imagine asking NCS, STA, Sidwell to change a grade bc parent feels kid is an A- vs B+ student.

Is this more likely to happen at a lower tier school?

Are you for real? I’m trying to imagine asking NCS, STA, Sidwell to change a grade bc parent feels kid is an A- vs B+ student.

You must be joking.

Either your child is too young to contact the teacher, in which case why do you care about a B+ vs an A-, or they’re old enough to contact the teacher, in which case they should.

That said I’m a teacher and you’d basically need to prove a clerical error for me to change a grade.

Why do you want the grade changed? And why do you feel it should be?

Hahahahahahahahahahahaha

I’m a private school teacher and I agree with the above. Have your child advocate for himself. Have him come with specific evidence that illustrates why a higher grade is warranted. Were there test questions marked wrong? Was there an assignment with a zero that your student can prove was turned in? Was an essay marked down on a rubric and can your child reasonably articulate why a higher score is warranted?

If your reason is a general “I think he’s an A student,” then I wouldn’t recommend taking this on. A B+ isn’t going to be the end of your child’s academic career.

I don’t change grades often, and I only do it when there’s a solid reason. I feel it’s unfair to the many other students in the class to boost one student and not all.

Your kid needs evidence and it written down why the grades are wrong.

Actual math.

And no you should not get involved.

Is this a little kid? There is no way the school will respond positively if this child is in middle school or older.

If you truly believe that the B+ should be an a minus then the student not the parent set a meeting with the teacher and provide examples of why they think the grade should be increased. Be prepared for feedback from a teacher if they disagree with those examples and then let it go you do not go to admin and ask for a grade change.

Anonymous wrote:I've had my kid contact his teacher. I've never personally intervened.

+100

If your kid can’t advocate for themself, what’s the point? Is Mommy also going to call his boss about the mate report?

I've had my kid contact his teacher. I've never personally intervened.

Really think a few of my son’s B+ should be A-. Should I go directly to teacher or admin? Best ways to phrase the email or wordings to avoid? Should I ask for in person meeting?

Only respond if you actually have had success with this approach- no trolls.