Has anyone ever experienced retaliation after....?

As a teacher, I can tell you that we are accountable for our grades. If a parent requests it, we have to give them a complete printout of the child’s grades, including every grade on every assignment. It seems that would be your first step.

What I wonder is if the B was given on the terms of the IEP, but when judged against typical class standards, her grade was really an F. For example, I am highly dyspraxic (klutzy). If I were graded compared to my peers, I would always get an F in P.E. But, because teachers take the LD into account, I would get a B for effort.

It does seem strange and harsh. I would certainly want to see how the teacher arrived at the F. Best of luck.

Debcat

Thanks for your response, Deb. No, my daughter was in Regular Education classes. She was only receiving Speech-Language services for her Selective Mutism. She was excelling on Social Studies Geography tests and History tests for the first marking period. She was not given a break because of her IEP. When she bombed on a test, her 16% was a big fat “F”.

The teacher claims that my daughter failed Social Studies because she got an “F” on a research paper. No outline of what was expected for this mysterious research paper, plus the fact that it counted for 2/3rd’s of the grade, was ever sent home. Plus, no midterm progress report warning of possible failure was ever sent home. Though the teacher and prinicipal stated in writing that had the project not been an issue, my dauughter would’ve received a “B” in the subject, they still won’t remove the “F”.Worst of all, the Assistant Superintendent and Superintendent won’t overrule the school’s decision.

Deb, this is nothing but pure retaliation, along with possible discrimination.

Now can anyone tell me what I can do to fight this?

How frustrating..you’re trying to build your daughter up, and have to deal with this crap.

Again, I am working from the rules used in our school district, but it seems that the teacher should have some handout (on her computer if nothing else). Or that you could talk to other parents of other students in the class to find out if this project actually existed.

At our school, we can’t fail a student without notifying the parents in advance.

Would the teacher possibly accept a late paper, then change the grade? We can get into the computers and change grades under special circumstances. It could be a good compromise.

Good luck.

Debcat

Thanks to each of you that responded to this horrible situation. I do plan to take legal action.

I have already asked the principal to allow my daughter to have 2 weeks to do another project, and base her grade according to tha. He refused.

Right now I am in the process of giving either the Principal or the Superintendent 5 business days to overrule the principal’s decision to let the “F” grade stand.

It’s really horrible because I feel that from this point on, the teacher will [i]magically find[/i]a way to fail my daughter in one or more subjects through the end of the school year. And she’s in 6th grade, so messing with her grades can mean not promoting to junior high.

Now I know why sooooo many parents homeschool. :cry:

A word of warning:

Before you go and raise hell with your school please keep a few things in mind. Unless you get your girl out of that school there will be more reprisals. I made that mistake when I went over some heads and those idots at my kid’s school eneded up getting the DARE officer involved and the rest of the thug cops in our corrupt little dying upstate NY town.

Consider the type of people you are dealing with. They have no intention of playing by the rules. They are on a power trip.

The main concern needs to be your girl’s well being. People like that teacher that you describe can really damage her and people like her will.

I would challenge the B? witch to take a compentency test.

I realize it would be very satisfying to go after this loser but I would mess with this beotch in ways she can’t figure out who is doing it.

Look at it logically, our schools are failing and are in a serious state of collapse. They cannot even educate “normal” kids. If a child has special needs you would be barking up the wrong tree if you expect public schools to meet those needs.

Teaching is actually very very very easy. You can teach your child what he or she needs to know. Homeschooling is a direct reaction to America’s horrible teachers.

It is evil to attack sneakily. Ethical people are open about their actions. I would personally try to take the high road.

I agree it is a shame that the teacher is not accommodating. However, being on the other side, I can tell you I’ve been attacked by parents who were absolutely furiously vicious toward me. Their complaints were unjustified, and I won in the end. Yet there was enormous stress, taking away from my teaching ability, energy, and personal life.

It is possible that the “F” was legitimate, and the teacher is upset because she sees you trying to manipulate the system for a kid who did no work. It is unlikely that a teacher would hang herself for a colleague’s revenge.

Personally, I think a chance to redo the paper is reasonable, and if not that, a switch to a different teacher. But, I must say, it upsets me to see people want to ruin teachers’ lives. There are two sides to every story, and while revenge may taste sweet, it bears bitter fruits.

Debcat

[quote=”Debcat”]It is evil to attack sneakily. Ethical people are open about their actions. I would personally try to take the high road.

I agree it is a shame that the teacher is not accommodating. However, being on the other side, I can tell you I’ve been attacked by parents who were absolutely furiously vicious toward me. Their complaints were unjustified, and I won in the end. Yet there was enormous stress, taking away from my teaching ability, energy, and personal life.

It is possible that the “F” was legitimate, and the teacher is upset because she sees you trying to manipulate the system for a kid who did no work. It is unlikely that a teacher would hang herself for a colleague’s revenge.

Personally, I think a chance to redo the paper is reasonable, and if not that, a switch to a different teacher. But, I must say, it upsets me to see people want to ruin teachers’ lives. There are two sides to every story, and while revenge may taste sweet, it bears bitter fruits.

Debcat[/quote]

Bitter fruits? I would say there are some sour grapes on the part of the teacher.

If you read the Truth about teachers thread ont the parenting a child with ADHD forum you will see that educators are not ethical. All some people understand is fear. This teacher is a power junkie and somebody needs to clip her wings.

Going through channels will only make things worse. Her mom will get labled a boat rocker and a malcontent and her actions will follow her daughter all through school.

One would think that teachers are mature and professional but the evidence suggests most are not.

When there is no law the only justice that can happen is the do it yourself kind.

This teacher needs a wake up call and she needs to know if she crosses the line again her life will become very unpleasant. She needs to know that the crap that will come her way will out weigh the perverse pleasure her power trip with kids brings.

I say blind side her! SHe will be a better teacher for it.

And what kinds of things can be done?

I just want an understanding of what you mean.

Of course, most of us were taught the don’t-return-evil-for-evil. But it’s REALLY hard when people are picking on your kids.

Debcat, the “F” probably was legitimate, according to the teacher’s make-it-up-as-she-goes-along-philosophy. The principal admitted that had it not been for this project, which I didn’t know of (no midterm progress report, outline, etc.), my daughter would’ve had a “B” in the course. The school handbook states that a midterm progess report is mailed from the principal’s office whenever a child is in danger of getting a “D” or an “F”. The teacher and me had COUNTLESS communications, in the 2nd marking period, which is in question, where she was ALWAYS telling me how my daughter washed her hands a certain way, she likes to be one of the last people in line, she takes too long in the restroom, etc., BUT SHE NEVER BOTHERED TO ADD, BY THE WAY, YOUR DAUGHTER IS NOT DOING THIS RESEARCH PAPER THAT COUNTS FOR 2/3RD’S OF HER GRADE.

That is my main argument. This is 6th grade, and my daughter’s research paper. You would think that the teacher would’ve sent something home to the parents, and not just trusted 11-13 year olds to do a research paper on their own, with only brief class time guidance, when that was the very first paper of that sort they’d be doing.

Do you see my point now? If the teacher determined that the research paper would only be done in class, then it shouldn’t have counted for so much of the student’s grades. The student handbook also states that teachers should send what is expected home, for major projects.

This teacher is pregnant (which may explain some moodiness), but admitted, when we still communicated, that oftentimes, she doesn’t grade things until weeks later.

I think hiring a lawyer will help preserve accountability and fairness for your daughter’s future report cards. What a terrible situation to be in.

[quote=”Megan’s Mom”]I think hiring a lawyer will help preserve accountability and fairness for your daughter’s future report cards. What a terrible situation to be in.[/quote]

Great advice, hire a lo life lawyer and keep stirrng the pot. That ought to make the situation better.

This is a serious and sensitive situation and you are advising to send in a lawyer. :roll: