For this week's reflection, I am choosing to address zero policies. I know that in my district we are being encouraged to stop assigning zeros for homework assignments that were not completed, so this is an area where I imagine that I will be changing my policies to address this "moving mindset."
I can see how changing my zero policies will be helpful to students who grasp the material quickly and don't want to be bothered with what is, frankly, occasionally busy work (or at least is busy work for someone who already understands what they're doing).
It is hard to predict how this kind of policy might change the grades of students who both struggle and generally choose not to do homework assignments.
I find myself examining my own and other teacher reactions to the idea of reformulating zero policies (i.e. stopping giving zeros). Generally, we tend to have a negative gut reaction, and I've been very curious as to why.
When I reflect upon this, I think that as a teacher, we tend to feel fairly powerless with respect to our administration, our community, what will happen to our paychecks, retirement, the legislation of our profession and public opinion of us. I almost wonder if taking away the ability to give that big fat zero in the grade book feels like one of our few powers left is being taken away.
I can see how changing my zero policies will be helpful to students who grasp the material quickly and don't want to be bothered with what is, frankly, occasionally busy work (or at least is busy work for someone who already understands what they're doing).
It is hard to predict how this kind of policy might change the grades of students who both struggle and generally choose not to do homework assignments.
I find myself examining my own and other teacher reactions to the idea of reformulating zero policies (i.e. stopping giving zeros). Generally, we tend to have a negative gut reaction, and I've been very curious as to why.
When I reflect upon this, I think that as a teacher, we tend to feel fairly powerless with respect to our administration, our community, what will happen to our paychecks, retirement, the legislation of our profession and public opinion of us. I almost wonder if taking away the ability to give that big fat zero in the grade book feels like one of our few powers left is being taken away.
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