CB>   SK> Here is an article quoted from the August 28, 1996 Daily Report 
Card:
CB>  -> *1   FAILING GRADES:  GETS TEACHER OUSTED
CB>  ->    Shehrever Masters, a Toledo, Ohio, high school science
CB>  -> teacher was fired because he failed too many students
CB>  -> (AP/Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 8/23).  School Superintendent Crystal
CB>  Hmmm, I am split by this issue - on one side I agree with him as a
CB>  teacher, on the other side I remember my HS calculus teacher who
CB>  stated, "If you can't keep up with the best in the class, too
CB>  bad."
I posted the article, even though it is not very detailed. Certainly
there is not enough info for us to decide whether this particular teacher
was doing his job properly or not. I just know that I personally get
the willies every time I hear about a teacher being dismissed for
giving out "too may" low grades. I think the guy (Mr. Masters) is right
that grading teachers by the grades they give their students is
ridiculous, and that it would cause teachers to give inflated grades.
I know that I work with teachers who are constantly concerned about
being perceived as giving too many low grades. Something is wrong with
such a situation.
CB>  I think Mr.
CB>  Masters needs to provide some way for the students to acquire
CB>  the study skills they need to pass his class. Perhaps he should
CB>  encourage after school study sessions, maybe some of these
CB>  interested parents could help. How about a study skills class
CB>  put in the schedule, did he suggest this before the standards
CB>  were raised so high? Although I don't think the work required
CB>  was extreme, we don't know how his delivery of material was or
CB>  what the work atmosphere is like in his class.
No, we don't know enough about Mr. Master's particular scenario.
Certainly, any teacher worth his salt would IMO offer at least after
school assistance to the students. But, if many teachers in his
school are giving "easy grades", wouldn't it be normal for the students
to drop his class, fleeing instead to one of the "easier" teachers?
CB>  If you are going to have high standards, there should be a ladder to
CB>  allow most of the students to reach them, no?
Absolutely.
Sheila
 * SLMR 2.1a *
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