Confessions from the Couch » Failure IS an option

Failure IS an option

I know that I am going to get slammed and maybe even massacred for this post. And I am prepared for this!

I was reading Tamara’s post, Failure is Not an Option. She discusses the options she has provided so that her students do not fail. States the opportunities, she has given for students to retake quizzes and test after tutoring and grammar practice, etc. She is doing an EXCELLENT job of providing interventions so that students can succeed.

I am doing much of the same thing. . . retake of exams after study sessions and after school tutoring as well as additional work opportunities. And because this election is a big deal, I’ve been offering TONS of extra credit for watching the debates, commentaries and documentaries on the election and candidates–all the students have to do is take a page of notes while watching each event.

Students have EVERY opportunity to succeed in my class. They choose not to take advantage of these opportunities. Nancy (playing devil’s adovcate) commented on one of my posts challenged my teaching:

I’ll play devil’s advocate—why aren’t the kids doing the work? I feel if a kid is not in a place to do homework ie work issues, home issues, motivation issues then they should be asked to work at home. They shouldn’t be asked to do the work at home. (I’ll leave it up to you to find a time for that! haha)

Is the work too hard? too easy? Not relevant? not interesting? redundant? What good does it to to fail a kid? Is that going to help next year? 5 years from now? 20 years from now? Figure out why the kids not doing the work then find work the kid will do.

The whole failure thing is sad to me. What message does this send to the kid? What have we accomplished by bullying the kid into turning in work to get a “grade”.

I want to address several things:

Homework Policy–I don’t have homework. My only expectations for homework: uncompleted classwork assignments and projects. My regular students have 1 project per term and 1 current event reflection (3 paragraphs) that they must do at home. Other than that, THERE IS NO HOMEWORK in my class. The whole purpose for this policy is accommodating for what is going on at home. I accommodate the students in class. They have plenty of time to do the work and my classroom management is working . . . the students will do work as long as I stand over them, but let me move on to another student the work stops. If they work slowly, I tell them to complete the assignment at home–often times it does not come back.
Level of Work–Personally, I think the work is TOO easy, but not all students find it that way. Let’s just be real here. . . History is not fascinating to all people. I realize that. I try to provide innovative ways for learning the material: hands-on through foldables & collages, singing, dancing, film. I don’t require students to sit quietly and listen to me the entire hour. We discuss. . . we relate events to our current experience. We draw and color. Rarely do they take pages and pages of notes, instead I give them note sheets with blanks on them and they fill in the blanks as we go along in the lesson. I give them the test questions before the exam. I teach a high school level world history course on a MIDDLE SCHOOL LEVEL! Yes, it may be boring and redundant and easy, but most student love it b/c its a style of learning they are not used to at the high school level. 80% of my students learn, do well and pass.
Failure happens and IS a learning experience– I was reading EHT post on the Culture of Failure in our society. I AM SICK AND TIRED of society telling kids that they won’t fail. Why should we keep giving them training wheels . .. and not letting them fall. Failure happens. Honestly, it is how we get better. I’ve failed at many things and it has made me stronger and so much better. It is in failure that we see our mistakes. Failure will help them in 5 years and 20 years, b/c each time we fail we learn what NOT to do in the future.
The message–I am sending the message that you can’t coast by life on your good looks and winning personality. You MUST work in order to survive. I don’t get paid for doing nothing. . . the only check you get for doing nothing is a welfare check (and it doesn’t go far). . . and under current legislation, you can only get that check for so long. These students have been passed on for too long–thats why they struggle with simple tasks, like reading and writing. Sometimes a student needs a zero. A zero says you have done nothing. Why should you get partial credit for doing NOTHING. That’s bull!!!

We are breeding a culture of irresponsibility. My district is especially guilty of that. And this begins at home. Parents don’t take responsibility. Student’s don’t take responsibility. The only people that are taking responsibility are the teachers. We are removing the personal responsibility of parents and students with this whole grading game. There were 21 F’s on report cards for freshman World History for the first term out of 150 students. I’ve spoken with most of the parents of those failure, explaining policies and making myself available to help. Do you no know how many students have shown up for tutoring this school year? ZERO. ZILCH. ZIPPO. Even after many have said their child would participate. So why should I avail myself to giving them a passing grade, when they make no effort?

And let me say this: Upbringing plays a large role in this. . . it’s all about what is important to the student and their parent. . . do they care about education? do they care whether they pass or fail? Honestly, this is not stuff you can blame on me, the teacher. We happened to personal accountability? What happened to being a proactive parent? I’m doing my part . . .they aren’t doing theirs and I don’t think that is deserving of partial credit? Especially, since I don’t get a partial paycheck.

Reflections | Miss Teacha | October 19, 2008 10:32 am

13 Comments

By Tamara, October 19, 2008 @ 11:35 am

I won’t be reaming you, I agree fully. I think you speak too highly of me but I am trying something different, that is for sure.

As far as the packets to improve grades, some kids took advantage of them, I’m sitting here grading the last tests and returned packets now. However, about five kids asked me to help them learn how to study, and like you, I made time after school and not one kid has shown up so far. Tutoring should be a choice, not punishment. I could call homes, tell parents it’s mandatory, but then I am giving teaching and learning as punishment and there’s no reward in that.

I’m like you in that my students have very little homework. I also don’t grade everything. I explain to them at the beginning of the year that in life you do not get rewarded for those things you’re supposed to do anyway. I also tell them that we reward pets when they sit, stay, obey; I don’t treat kids this way. What I am finding is that my kids are trying to do more note taking and work that they know they get no credit so maybe the “Learn for you, not for me, not for your parents, not for the government” speech is working.

There were MANY F’s on my first set of progress reports too. Even by bumping up the LOW Fs to 50%! I guess the goal of the whole “you get half credit even if you get a 0″ is to keep their grade what it is, but not so far from a D so that the motivated kids will work to get it back. Most kids aren’t F students, they just don’t work because they don’t see value in their education.

It’s sad and true. Sort of like voting in our country, many don’t because they don’t think their actions matter. I think the work here needs to be “How to create value AND when they don’t see value how to convince them that it’s still worth their while”.
By Ron Smith, October 19, 2008 @ 12:13 pm

i’d like to think that it is possible for all students to pass, that failure is not an option. sadly, i see that the only people who seem to believe this are the teachers. students, on a large scale, don’t see the need to exert any effort whatsoever. i can’t tell you how many times a student has asked me what they have to do to get a “d”.

i accept the fact that something may be going on at home that may prevent or preclude a student from doing homework. what i have a harder time accepting is that there is not anything going on at home that encourages the student to excel in their studies. too many parents are turning their kids over to schools and expecting the school to do all the work.

i often tell my students that the two most important people in the educational process are the student and the parent. there is a lot of evidence for that, but it seems as though students, and parents, would like it if teachers could simply cut open the heads of students, pour in the knowledge, and close it up again, something akin to neo in the matrix, who finds that when he needs a new bit of knowledge, his operator simply inserts a new chip into the computer, and bingo, knowledge exists.

it’s no accident that private school students do much better, but it’s not because the education they are receiving is superior. in fact, the education they receive is often inferior, taught by low paid, unqualified teachers. the difference is parental involvement. in private school, parents are REQUIRED to be involved, or their child is expelled. likewise home-schooled children, taught by housewives who may not have much education beyond high school themselves, seem to excel. with a parent sitting right there at the elbow of the student, failure really is not an option.

i don’t know if it is cultural or generational or a sign of the times, but students just don’t work as they should. unfortunately, when students fail a grade, they are simply moved on to the next one, that is, until high school, where they are finally held to account. sadly, when they fail in high school, many decide to drop out. they have limited their options so severely, they have no choice.

btw, check out this 8th grade final exam from a school in salina kansas–in 1895!
http://im8×10.com/pages/eighth_grade_exam.html
By Debbie, October 19, 2008 @ 12:16 pm

Wow, I can’t agree with you more. Too many students are lazy and irresponsible and it’s something that they are learning at home. As much as we model and encourage responsibility and a good work ethic, if they don’t have it at home then it’s not going to happen. You sound like an amazing teacher that is bending over backwards for her students. It’s a shame that your students are choosing not to learn and succeed. Unfortunately, they are only hurting themselves in the long run and someday they will realize the poor choices that they made. Best wishes to you!
By Nancy, October 19, 2008 @ 1:31 pm

Ok, my Pollyanna comments got some people thinking!! Yikes. I agree with the points you and all your commentors made. I agree parents are letting kids down, but we are with them more in a day than parents ever are. What can we do? Doing things the way they’ve already been done ain’t workin’ for a lot of kids. How can we do things differently?

I guess looking at each kid as an individual rather than part of a herd might help, are high schools too big? I guess bringing back technical and trade programs for h.s. kids who want to learn a trade might help, why did they get rid of those programs in the first place? I guess allowing bright kids to move through the material much faster might help, why can’t they graduate in 2 or 3 years and continue their studies at affordable junior colleges or work to save money for rising college costs? I’m sure we could all come up with ideas that might help and a few of you might even try to implement them, you have the time. I don’t I’m retiring soon so I’m leaving it up to you to make a different to kids. I know you can do it.
By Tamara, October 19, 2008 @ 10:00 pm

Nancy,

In Los Angeles we are moving into the models of Small Learning Communities. Right now we have 4 SLCs at my school. As a matter of fact, the commentor Ron is one of our Engineering teachers at the small school we work at. Even in small schools, parent involvement lacks. I have 130 students, I saw a lot on parent night and that was only 28.

It’s a problem and of course, the parents who come are never the parents of the kids who we really need to come!
By Miss S, October 20, 2008 @ 2:32 am

I agree with you.

I am using a new way of grading this year, where students must prove proficiency of a set list of standards. (There’s more to it,but too long to type) If students do not like their current grade on any standard, they may remediate with me after school.

I have three days as a week after school for kids to work with me. Only after they have completed a remediation plan (which student and I design), may they retest. I never use the same test…it’s always something different…sometimes I have students create the test and answer key for me.

They cannot retest unless the plan is complete, and they have one shot to retest. If they do poorly on the retest (which in theory, they shouldn’t, as the plan should be set up to make the student really work and know the material), then that’s the grade they receive on the standard. I tell kids all of the time that if they aren’t ready to retest…if they need more time, take it. Don’t rush to retest.

This way, it puts the responsibility back on the kids, which IMO, is where it needs to be. When I have parents complain about their kid’s grade, I can literally state that their kid has not come to remediate with me.

(I keep a remediation sign-up sheet and any work a kid does during remediation in a binder, should I need to reference what was done during remediation)
By Mystery Teacher, October 20, 2008 @ 2:17 pm

FAILURE IS AN OPTION! I used to teach Parent Power. It was a class for parents to learn to be better facilitators for their children’s education. The only parents who came were the ones that we didn’t need to come.
For the children and the parents. It is a choice they make not to take education seriously. Anyone who thinks the choice to fail isn’t an option needs to actually spend time in a real world classroom. Many students just don’t care. Why should they? Their parents don’t. So, they choose to fail. They may not consider it a choice but if they don’t put the effort in, that IS the choice they made.
Kids need to know that they are not being forced to fail, they are choosing that option.
By Margaret, October 20, 2008 @ 8:31 pm

AMEN. Failure can be an opportunity for growth. It can be a wake-up call. It is often in spite of our best efforts, and we have to let it go, knowing that we gave 200% when others who should try gave 0%.
By Midwest Teacher, October 21, 2008 @ 2:34 pm

Amen. I asked a kid today (this is his 3rd time through this particular section of English — 3rd teacher too) why he kept coming to my class if all he was going to do is sleep in my class? He said he didn’t know. I told him he can sleep if he wants, but that’s his choice to do nothing and fail. I’d help him, if he puts in the effort, but if he’s not going to try, why should I exhaust myself trying to drag a product out of him? NO! I don’t think so. Danggit…I’m all riled up today, so this post has kept me in that mindset.
By JK, October 25, 2008 @ 9:05 pm

You hit it right on the head when you said that we are breeding a culture of irresponsibility. I had a student in my class a few weeks ago miss two days worth of homework. I sent an email to the mom letting her know the daughter failed to turn in her assignments. The mom’s response was to make a call directly to my principal (not to me and not a reply to my email) complaining that she doesn’t agree with my discipline policy for students who fail to turn in homework (which is to miss their recess time to make it up). The mom even stated how i am aiding in the development of diabetes by telling students they miss their recess.

Two weeks later she replies to me and gives excuses to why her child did not do the work: she is too busy, she rushes through things, and she sometimes forgets. Then she proceeded to tell me how I should change my classroom rules. Never once has she mentioned that she will see to it that her child starts completing the work or there will be a conseuence. She even went so far to say that I should give her MORE work. Lady, she isn’t even turning in the work she has now. and, isn’t that a punishment for the teacher.

Here is a solution: JUST DO THE WORK. Simple as that.

I called my mom to ask what they would do if I missed homework. Did you call the teacher and tell her she was to blame or she was doing something wrong. My mom just laughed and said you and your brother always did your work and you didn’t miss assignments because YOUR DaD WOULDN’T LET THaT FLY.

a lot of this stuff comes from home.
By Ms. Maddy, October 29, 2008 @ 10:55 am

I feel, more than anything, sorry for my students. I teach remedial math to 9th graders. Most of them will never know the feeling of success due to hard work, the triumph of finally earning an A after studying, the pride of mastering something you set out to learn. My students ascribe all their failures to me (You ‘gave’ me a bad grade), but they ascribe their victories to me also (Thanks for the ‘A’!)
I’m trying very hard to focus on rewarding effort rather than punishing a lack of effort, but sometimes I really feel there is nothing to reward.
By Nancy, October 29, 2008 @ 12:09 pm

Maddy’s comment reminds me of the recent work of Carol Dweck.
By TeacherDad, November 2, 2008 @ 11:47 am

As one who has coasted through life on good looks and personality, I still applaud your awesome post! It’s one I’ll file for future reference; I’ve always doubted the value (and questioned the legality) of homework and basing passing grades on how much/when it’s turned in…
Failure is not only an option it’s reality, and becomes more of a element in a person’s life as they grow and become more aware of the world around them — with 20+ yrs in business, 14+ as a dad, and (knock on wood) 20+ coming as a teacher, I’ve found it’s more important to focus on what happens the moment after the failure, The failing is done, it’s over, now how do you respond to the criticism or the rejection? How do we teach students to take responsibilty and make an effort to work harder and smarter so as to not fail again?