Saturday, February 2, 2013

Student Failed English Class? Maybe it’s not teacher’s fault By: Roger Baker


Reading this article, the student provides information why the English teacher does not like him.  Honestly, I do not like this student either.  His comment clearly portrays a clue towards why a teacher could dislike him and be subjective in grading.  The student went out of his way, beyond normal politeness, to express his feelings.  He makes comments such as, “Yes, and I also told her I hated English classes…” and “…I told the teacher when I was going to be absent” and “I would have to turn some assignments in late.”

We are not sure if he was a good writer or not.  Taking his position momentarily, if his grade depended only on the quality of his writing and not on other factors, such as, attendance or handing in assignments on time, we can understand why the teacher can dislike him and be subjective in grading.  Although the comments he made may not have been appropriate to say, it still should not have influenced the grade he received if the end result was all that counted.

This article presented an extreme viewpoint with the students not performing under the rules that other students follow and was completely obnoxious.  However, under more subtle conditions, just having a different opinion than a professor could make the difference between an “A” or a “B” even if you were obedient and a rule follower.  This was my experience last semester.


Baker, Roger. “Student Failed English Class?  Maybe it’s not teacher’s fault.” Deseret News [Salt Lake City, Utah] Sunday, May 15, 1994. News Bank, Access Word News. 02/2/13 

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