My advice on disputing a final grade
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 16 июн 2024
- Sometimes students get grades that don't line up with what they expected. Today I want to talk through the process for examining your grade and seeing if you need to dispute it. I'll take you through the process step by step to make sure you have the strongest case and don't make any mistakes along the way.
Curious what is a syllabus is all about and why it is a legal contract? • Did you know your syll...
Edit: I passed.
I might try to appeal a challenge with my calc 2 teacher. I attended several office hours and showed up to every class. The problem is that she nitpicks almost every quiz for the smallest mistakes. For example, I forgot to write a variable or number in one of my answers, and she immediately marked me wrong. I get she wants everything 100% correct, but this is messing me up.
Yeah, that’s really frustrating to experience. I get the importance of precision in calculus and mathematics broadly speaking, but I think faculty should recognize almost none of us are taking their classes to work in a related field (engineers and future calc faculty excluded).
If the semester isn’t over it may be useful to chat with the faculty and see if any kind of class grade curve is included. Depending on the university, I find calculus to be one of those areas where the faculty may already have some extra points built in at the end.
Likewise if you pass/passed the class, it may simply be better to take the credits and move on unless there’s a specific issue with grading per the rules of the syllabus. Generally harsh grading won’t result in overturning a grade. However if there’s a specific issue (for example the syllabus allows partial credit but the faculty is consistently marking an entire problem as wholly wrong) you could try to pursue that angle.
Happy to chat more and thanks for watching! Please tell your friends about this channel so we can make college a bit easier for everyone.
Thank you, I appreciate it. @@dr.maples
Hi Dr. Maple,
I am currently thinking about appealing my final grade for Art Appreciation. In this class I received all A’s for my assignments all 100% and a 95%. I did miss quite a few days, but I always kept up with my work. Before the last week of class I asked my professor if we had anymore assignments, he told me that we did not and we were all done. I attended a few more days and we were only watching videos (Not really work related). So I didn’t show up for the last week of his class. Mind you I stay a little distance from the school, and I am a city bus rider, so I didn’t attend since I was already having a few issues with my bus pass. Final grades come in and I have a C…. I reached out to a classmate and asked if we had a final, I was told that on the last day they came into class, signed attendance like normal, and left. I feel like this isn’t right. I emailed my teacher regarding the grade and asked if there is anything I can do like draw a picture or do a coloring for him to change my grade. He didn’t reply to me. However, the email was outside of office hours and from my gmail account. Is there anything I can do about this? How should I move forward?
Yes you should dispute this grade. Start by rewriting the professor from your university email. I would explain why you thought the class was over. Nicely note that you learned they simply had people sign their names for the final and leave and that you misunderstood from your earlier conversation that there were no more assignments. Tell them you plan to appeal the grade with the department but you’d like a reasonable chance to get those points and move on.
My opinion here but I don’t think that your professor would want their department chair knowing about that illegitimate final. It poses accreditation issues for the university not giving s final especially if the syllabus notes there is a meaningful final.
If you get no response, I’d start the appeal process and reach out to the department chair. I wouldn’t note your attendance issue but I would note what happened with the final and your conversation with the professor that the assignments were done. Lightly note that the last few days of class were just watching videos for no points.
You’ve got a 50/50 chance on this one but I think it is worth your time. Follow up with questions and let me know what you decide. Thanks for watching!
Awesome❤Thanks for sharing! Happy Holidays!!!
@Sharon King thanks! Same to you.
Would love to hear your stories about challenging grades...are there things that came up that I need to cover in a future video?
Hi professor, I am a nursing student. I failed one of my nurisng courses by 2%, preventing me from moving forward to the next semester. I now have to repeat the whole year, putting me back a year. I believe my academic performance in the course was really impacted by my physical and mental well-being. I suffer from chronic migraines and TMJ disorder which significantly got worse towards exam time, and I have supporting documentation. I wasn’t able to eat and sleep and that really affected my performance on the exam. Do you think an appeal would be considered for my circumstance?
@ckl1117 yes an appeal seems logical here. If you feel also that the course did not live up to any disability/student services agreements you had in place at the time that would also strengthen your case. Since this would reset you a year it seems you have nothing to lose here in trying.
In your appeal try to note specific examples such as assignments where this was an issue. Details can really be important in making your case. Thanks for watching and supporting my channel! Please share with your friends.
Hi professor, I am currently a dual enrolled high school student. How my school works is that they pay for our college courses under one circumstance: do not fail. If a student fails, they have to pay the amount the school paid for the class ($300+). I am a 3.8 gpa student, I have never failed or had a grade lower than a B-, so because of this situation, I am in a serious panic. The problem regarding my grade is that I have a 504 plan, and one of my main accommodations are extended deadlines (to an appropriate extent). My english professor and I conversed through zoom on what would be excused and what I needed to turn in by a certain time. The assignments needed to turn in at that time, I turned in about a week later through email. (which included proposals, outlines, and rough drafts) On her syllabus, it states she does not take late assignments through email, but informed me to do so anyways. After a few weeks pass, I never see my assignments put into the grade book, but I just assumed that it took her awhile to grade late work and that she'd get to me eventually. Finals week comes up and I end up in the hospital. The moment I got discharged, I email all my professors requesting an extended deadline for finals/assignments I have missed, explaining my situation to them all. They all agree and accommodate besides my English professor. She adds that it was my responsibility to let her know before hand to request an extended deadline for missing assignments. I add that I physically was not able to let her know beforehand due to me being in the hospital. She then states that I do not fit the criteria of having an "incomplete" on my grade (meaning I would have to have 3/4 of the coursework done) when, in reality, I would be qualified if she graded my work I emailed her. She claimed she never got anything from me when I provided a screenshot of the email of me sending them to her. Then she states that it is unreasonable for her to grade a rigorous amount of coursework (three essays) during the last week of the semester which is understandable. Then again, I have done everything I can to maintain my gpa and I really cannot afford to fail. I feel as if its unfair to me because I tried to even do my assignments while I was at the hospital, but didn't even have the strength to do anything, but still somehow got all of the coursework done. She hasn't responded to my latest email, and I really do not want to contact the higher up about this, but if I have to, I will. Please help me ! If you would like to know any more information please let me know!
First I hope you are feeling well. Next, yes, I recommend getting a few others involved here. First get someone from your high school involved. This could be a trusted teacher or person who handles college credits. They can help guide you on your next steps.
Second, I would work with your high school to write the department chair as well as appeal that grade. Note the issues as you have here and note the lack of response. Forward along any communication with this professor as those messages are public record. I’d contest your final grade in this class based on lack of grading the earlier assignment and the final where you were given unequal treatment.
As a final note, professors have to grade student material without exception. There’s no provision for an “unreasonable” amount of grading lol. It’s part of the job so don’t give this professor any slack on that front.
Let me know how things go and reach out with questions. But in short yes contest this grade!!!
Hi Professor, I'm an art school student. My problem regarding my grade is that the professor did not give a clear standard for the amount of work to be done and accused me of being absent without excuse (I actually took a leave of absence). But my chair does not agree with my appeal. May I ask what department or possible person at the school should I talk to next about the problem? Because I think the whole process of appealing my grade was not standardized enough (e.g. my professor made up things that I didn't do and my chair jumped to a final conclusion without listening to my explanations)
@KuuRON-wo7ik so there are a few pieces here to consider. First is that leave of absence. Could you tell me more about that? If you have an agreement in place with your university regarding your absence you should get those folks involved here. That absence would be something they could and should help address. Second, collect all your info on that assignment. If that assignment and the syllabus aren’t clear on expectations that works to your advantage. Third, if the chair doesn’t support your request for a review I’d send you to the dean’s office. Respectfully put your case to them and I’d focus likely on the leave of absence if that played into your grade. I’d ask for a chance to resubmit that assignment and be regraded. I’d also share any reasons the department wouldnt support your request. Know going in that the dean is going to take the chair’s side from the start but if there’s a reason for the review they’re likely to grant it. If you have a faculty advisor or professor you trust I’d also ask for their help here.
If they won’t budge on this and the absence agreement folks won’t help (and tell me more about that please) a fourth option is retaking this if it is required for your degree. And if it isn’t, skip it and take something else. A low or even failing grade isn’t going to detail your career. And look up Salvador Dali on this point: I recall he failed his final degree defense by telling his professors they weren’t good enough to criticize his work, and was one of the great modern artists.
Happy to talk more about this. In the end don’t let this one class be anything more than a speed bump. Art is life!!!!
@@dr.maplesHi prof, thank you for your kind reply. This helped me a lot both mentally and emotionally. I was busy last term and decided to deal with this issue during the break. I would like to talk to someone other than my chair, and I’m wondering whether you would be willing to help me with this. The whole thing is somewhat long, and I’m wondering whether I can send you an email about this. Thank you very much for your time and consideration!
If I didn't submit my final and my Professor agrees to let me take it again after, can my grade officially be changed? Or does a certain team at the college have to approve it?(In a situation where the appealed grade isn't guaranteed to automatically go through)
@cowiforna8358 good question. Here it sounds like your faculty is simply submitting a grade change request. Those do get signed by the department chair in my experiences but I haven’t seen cases where the department chair declines those. As long as there is a good reason to change a grade they aren’t going to ask further questions. I’d simply work with your professor on setting that up. Happy to answer questions anytime and thanks for watching! Please share the channel with your friends and classmates!
It is very helpful
@Ninia thanks! I’m glad it is useful. Please share the channel with your friends and let me know if there is ever a video I can make to help support your college career.
Hi Professor, I am currently a nursing student and having an issue with my program. Do you have experience with bracket system for grading and how to calculate that into an over GPA? My professor says I earned a 77% but I need a 79% to move on. Otherwise I have to wait an entire semester to retake the class and pay another 11k. Can you help in any way?
@yesseniaferrer6581 Thanks for watching the channel. I can only imagine how frustrating it would be from your perspective to be in this situation. I've never used bracket grading and there's not much on it online surprisingly. I did find one nursing school that briefly talks about it in their undergraduate handbook. Based on that, I have a few ideas to consider as you decide your next steps.
1. This program's handbook notes that the class syllabus will have details on the brackets there. As such, I'd go to your class syllabus and make sure your grade reflects the right bracket. (Likewise, feel free to share here anything you learn from your class syllabus.) And if there's nothing in the syllabus about bracket grading, that's something to note in your grade dispute.
2. Next, I'd look closely at every assignment you submitted and look for any questions you could contest or where grading was either incorrect or graded without a rubric in place. A rubric keeps professors honest on grading (for lack of a better phrase) because it specifies how many points can be deducted and why. I can't arbitrarily penalize one student 15 points for a typo and then penalize another student 1 point for the same/similar mistake, and rubrics have to tell students how they'll be graded. As such, if you have an arbitrary grade on a written assignment with no rubric, that's something to consider challenging. You only need a few points here, so everything is worth considering. Since nursing is typically an accredited degree, it is very likely that a rubric is in place on all assignments, but if it isn't, that's something to include.
3. Before contesting, I'd respectfully explain your situation to your professor. Let them know that this delays you a year. Pleading for a grade increase or noting you deserve it rarely gets much traction but noting that your grade is because of (for example) one weak assignment or poor performance on a final might have better luck. Likewise if you had any personal struggles this semester that can't generally hurt your case either.
4. Consider asking for a more in-depth explanation of the grade to see if there's any flexibility. Come by their office and go through it line by line. Make your case personal to them and see if that might help. Always be kind, respectful, and appreciative as we want the professor to work with you, not against you. It also might give them the hint that you may be contesting the grade, which means paperwork and could accidently sway their perspective, especially since you're close.
These are the first ideas that come to mind beyond what's in the video. If you can, tell me more about the bracket grading system to see if there's something to address there. I'll also leave a second comment below with some other options if passing the course simply isn't possible this semester.
@yesseniaferrer6581 see my first comment for advice on contesting the grade. If that doesn't work, here are other options to consider:
1. Can you take this at another college and transfer in the course? Talk to your nursing advisor and see what options you have here. I have students who've transferred in a single failed class. So long as this doesn't interrupt your residency status (which means you have to have the last ~30 hours of your degree at that college, check with your advisor) then this is a sound option. Also, look at online programs if possible to save the commute to another campus. While this increases your tuition costs in the short term, it will be cheaper than waiting another year.
2. It's a long shot, but ask if another course you've taken/could take this semester could count in this course's place. Required classes in accredited degrees generally have little flexibility, but since I don't know what class this is, I wanted to mention it here. Talk to your advisor or a trusted nursing professor on campus. Note that if you are a senior or nearly a senior, you might have more leverage here. Note to them that not meeting the bracket cutoff in this course will delay your graduation by one year. That's a statistic colleges don't want to increase, so it gives them a motivation to help you.
3. Also a long-shot, but ask about a course by special arrangement. This means that you work one on one with the professor to take a course out of its usual timeline. Generally, you pay a small fee for this privilege (and the professor often gets that fee) plus the cost of the course. It may be an option, so look into it.
Thanks again for watching the channel. It would be super helpful if you could share any of my videos on social media with your friends! And be sure to tell me more about the bracket system (see other comment).
Hi Professor, I am in the nursing program and I had a B- in the last med surg class from all the assignments and the exams, I took the hesi which counts as our final and I didn’t score high enough, but the grade was still ok where if it was put in my final grade I would still pass however we have to take the hesi the second time if we didn’t get a 900 and I wasn’t feeling very good that day and felt stressed because I saw I was running out of time and guessed on the last 3-4 question. For some reason they take the second score which I scored lower which I’m still confused idk how I got lower. They take the second Hesi score instead of the first when apparently they used to take the higher of the score. I made a claim on that, what do you think about that? It’s very stressful because I was passing the course I never failed any of the exams and just because of me not performing well on the second hesi this is causing me to fail.
@moonlightprincess449 This is a great question. So first, yes, contesting the score makes sense, particularly as their policy has inexplicably changed over time and that may have not been made clear to you in advance. I did some reading on the HESI test and it appears colleges are free to set their own policies on taking/retaking it, so I would look into those policies at your school and see what options that presents. If they gave you bad information I would hold them to it. For example I’d the policies are incorrect in your syllabus or class materials or even their website that’s all evidence you could use here.
It is common to score lower when retaking these kinds of tests as I understand. For example, I’ve read that folks retaking the LSAT (a law admissions test) will often have lower second attempt scores. That said, if you must retake the HESI a third time, the test does seem to allow it and I would talk with your school about their policies. Likewise since it didn’t go as planned the previous attempts, it may be good to talk with you school advisor about preparation options, studying, and strategies. I’ve never taken that test so I don’t have any advice, but I bet there are some RUclips channels out there on the topic.
It can’t hurt to look at your class syllabus too to understand how the HESI fits into that course to make sure you got class credit.
Let me know how things turn out. Also be sure to have confidence in your abilities as you go into the retest. See if there’s a particular area where you scored lower and try to improve your scores there with extra study time. Talk with folks who did well and ask about their strategies. Don’t forget to ask trusted faculty, particularly ones who have more recently taken the exam or mentor students taking it. You’ve got this! Thanks for watching! Please share the channel with your nursing colleagues. I always enjoyed having your major in my intro classes.
Also it looks that the HESI can be retaken up to three times in a one year period with at least 60 days between attempts.
@@dr.mapleshi, even so when it comes to a nursing program I could take it three times? I just am not sure what to do since classes start next week and I don’t want to wait a whole other semester if I have to take the class again so I’m wondering if I should register for the class to retake it and wait to see what the department of chair decision is if to appeal or not. I just don’t want them thinking I decided to retake the class instead of actually trying to appeal for my grade still. Also I think it depends on the type of hesi because I’m looking up the exit hesi and most saying twice in a two year period. I spoke to someone online and they said the department chair they would talk to the faculty about my grades in the course and the exam. Also another reason I’m confused is how on my first attempt the area that I scored highest for was my lowest on the second attempt lol it makes no sense to me lol
@moonlightprincess449 Since you are so close to the start of the semester my recommendation would be to talk first thing with an advisor Tuesday regarding the schedule. They definitely need to make it clear to you if you need to retake the class. You could also reach out to the department chair if you aren’t getting responses from your faculty.
I think that would be a great time to also bring up the testing retake question. My response earlier is built on what I see online but they make it clear that schools can set up their own retake policies so you definitely want to get a set answer.
Get with your school on those two questions and let me know what you learn. I’m happy to keep talking through this as we learn more. Keep in touch with me on this! Thanks again for watching.
@@dr.maplesok thanks, so you think I should just still try register for now, but still ask if possible if I could retake the hesi again? Also someone in the registration office said they sent my petition to the vice chair already, do you think it would be fine to still message the vice chair then on my own? Idk how long it’s going to take so that’s why I’m just wondering if I should just try and message myself.
Hello Dr. Maple. I am English major. For my course my professor graded my final paper 48/100 . This paper is 50% worth the whole grade. I was very careful while writing this paper. I have shown this paper to other two professionals that includes my university’s writing and tutoring services. Both of the professionals said, excellent work and they don’t see any issue. I even read my professors feedback I don’t see why she graded me this bad. I was about graduate my this course won’t let me . I am planning to do grade appeal. I tried several times to contact with this professor she didn’t reply to me but other students idk why. I even emailed my essay to her before submitting if she can give me any feedback, again! No reply at all. I am frustrated at this point. She is not communicating at all. What to do and what should I count in to appeal this grade?
@pri9586 this sounds like a very good case to appeal the final grade. I’d focus on the lack of feedback on why the grade was low.
Note the university is less likely to be moved by the professionals you mentioned as they cannot speak to if your submission met the requirements of the assignment. However the lack of email responses and explanation (and noting that this keeps you from graduating) should be motivating factors.
Note too that you can write the department chair (your professor’s boss) to see if that motivates the professor to respond, but if this is all that keeps you from graduation then I’d be inclined to say get the appeal started first which will get the dept chair involved.
Follow up with questions and let me know the result. In the event the grade is allowed to stand we can also talk about backup plans.
@@dr.maples thank you for you kind advice. Should I contact with a professor regarding this issue? She is very close to me but I am wondering they teach in the same department if that is a good idea to contact with her.
@pri9586 yes I think it would be great if another professor you trust could help. It is always great to have an ally going into cases like this. I’d reach out to them and ask for help with the appeal.
@pri9586 it is also fine if they are in the same department. Faculty talk to each other behind the scenes and if a mutual student is having an issue it is common for faculty to work together on a solution. I think approaching this other faculty you mentioned would be good!
Hi professor, is there any chance that I can send you some pdfs about my grade appeal (my assignments and the emails I sent to my chair) for your advice? Google drive/ dropbox/ email all work for me. Thank you!
@KuuRON-wo7ik sure I’m at jamesmaplesphd at gmail dot com.
@@dr.mapleshello professor, thank you very much for your reply. I just sent the email.
@KuuRON-wo7ik got it! On the road at the moment but will get to it asap this weekend.
I'm looking for videos on grad school so I'm not sure if this applies to my case. Didn't fail, but got a C+ in my residency when both me and my mentor felt I should have at least gotten a B. Grade was decided by a committee but with professors who never observe me so I really feel they're not getting the whole picture. The grade has not been sitting right with me.
@Paul T Yeah, I agree: this is a tricky situation. For undergrads, I'd say appeal the grade, no question as there's really no risk to it. With grad school, there's other factors to consider. For example, how will this grade (if at all) impact your future employment options if you leave it as is. If it won't impact your employment and future plans, then I'd leave it be and move on. If it will impact your future, however, that's where I'd talk with your mentor about their advice on disputing it and what the ramifications of that action might be. One possible risk is alienating the committee who gave you the grade. It's likely not an issue, but it is something I'd have in mind. Again, since you passed the class, it may not be worth it. But if this grade closes doors on your career, then disputing it could be worthwhile, especially if you feel there's evidence you earned better.
This is going to be one of those rare cases where I don't have a specific piece of advice. I'd talk with your mentor (and even other folks in your field) and weigh in how much that grade will really impact you in the long run, especially since you are in your residency. If the grade isn't going to be an issue, my gut instinct is move on and steer clear of that committee as best you can. If the grade will be a problem, that may force your hand, but you should also weigh any risks in alienating the committee members in the longrun.
Whatever you chose, please update me on what you decide. Thanks for watching and commenting. Happy to continue the conversation as you learn more.
Does scientists include acting or wanting scienceness? Like they do from some experts, but from any other? How does cultural scientism compare to legalizing in sense of treating problems or anything like a lawyer or lawperson? Are they a kind of homo rationalis idea?
By nature, scientists don't include their wants in results. Science is meant, by definition, to create new knowledge (which is proven true through peer review) about our existence. So I wouldn't say they bring in acting or wanting any specific outcome. The outcomes are what they are, and we move forward with what the results mean.