grades at the HS

[bruce]

Allmost every teacher I talk to mentions that they are under EXTREME pressure to give students higher grades then they deserve. Is this what we want in out town? Our HS principal handing out grades to undeserving students and lowering our towns standards so his resume looks better. THis may need a news sun invesitgating reporting. Wow this is defintily not the old WTHS I attended!!

[veryconcerned]

Yes, teachers were pressured into passing students who did not meet minimum standards. I was one of those teachers. Apparently I was failing too many students who did no work and rarely showed up to class even though I tried to contact home. I was "talked to" by administration about what I would do to improve those students grades. I was talked to about changing my standards and grading practices in order to get more students to pass. In other words, pass students who should not pass. And so I did. And I truly apologize to the community. Unfortunately the administration did not care when I presented them with my attempts to contact home. I was told it was my fault and I had to fix it.

[Snoopy]

Yes, teachers were pressured into passing students who did not meet minimum standards. I was one of those teachers. Apparently I was failing too many students who did no work and rarely showed up to class even though I tried to contact home. I was "talked to" by administration about what I would do to improve those students grades. I was talked to about changing my standards and grading practices in order to get more students to pass. In other words, pass students who should not pass. And so I did. And I truly apologize to the community. Unfortunately the administration did not care when I presented them with my attempts to contact home. I was told it was my fault and I had to fix it.

I do not know where the shame lies in this situation. Was it your lack of courage to make a difference in your present situation, or the environment in which you presently find yourself? I will say, I appreciate your honesty and hope that our school board can change the situation you found yourself in. Please enlighten us, without revealing yourself, who suggested you improve your students grades. I want to know names.
We must provide an atmosphere that people are able to point out glaring weaknesses in our district in order to bring about real change.

Shawn White
(224) 381-2834

[veryconcerned]

I will say this is the only year where I felt the pressure to pass students. My department chair was given everyone's percent of failure overall by Dr. Hamlin and his administrative team. The DC was responsible for "having a conference" with every teacher who had higher than 10% failures. During my conference, I presented data that showed I had or had tried to get in touch with parents. My DC said he understood that I had done my part, but the administration was sick of excuses and only wanted results. It sounded like the DC's were getting pressure from Hamlin.

Why did I decide this year to through my ethics out the window? When a union rep tells me that more teachers this year have had letters put in their permanent files because Hamlin didn't like what they were doing, I get scared. When most of the people who applied to be Peer Counselors get rejected because they have over 10% failures, I get scared. I've been at WHS for several years. This was the first year I've been hounded about grades.

I want to say the reason my failure rate seemed high was because I taught some "repeater" courses. I invite the community to come observe a class of students who are repeating. Most of the students in my repeat classes failed half or more of their other courses. Their attendance was horrible. When they came to class, they refused to do work. I followed the attendance procedures, and I contacted parents. I did do my part. But I can only do so much because I have students who want to learn, and I need to teach them.

[Thinkin' Lincoln]

What these teachers are reporting is consistent with a new tactic being implemented: blame the instructors not those being instructed. This ideology has been hinted at in several discussions by high level administration (with school board members present) whereas the call has been made "to change the way we assess students". On the surface, the board members likely think that it sounds like a good concept, but what it really translates into is finding new ways to make assessments that minimizes or delects away from our shortcomings by putting in place measurements that paint a rosier picture. Although it may not be their intention, the current school board is far too content to simply place their faith and confidence in a few charismatic fast talkers and smile and nod in approval when they are presented information and statistics never bothering to question or look beyond the surface. Clealy they lack either the ability or the willingness to truly oversee the administration and they have been willingly reduced to the role of sideline cheerleaders for an adminstration that has free reign- a fact which is fully taken advantage of by those Sheridan Rd. spin doctors. My apologies to those in the trenches - aka the teachers. I don't see the situation improving under with such a devasting lack of leadership. Who would have thought?

[bruce]

Well it seems pretty simple to me.........Teachers are being forced (by the threat of their jobs, or harrassament) to give non deserving students passing grades. Who is laying down this directive? Lincoln center (Lamping)? Principal at the HS? One student works as hard as he can to get a "B" because he/she is working 12 hours after a school and another student doesnt show up at all, does no work, probably gives the teacher hell when they are there and the teacher is forced to give that student a passing grade! What does that tell every hard working student....and really what are you doing for the kid that passes because they did everything wrong and slid through? NICE EDUCATIONAL LESSON FROM OUR GREAT LINCOLN CENTER!

[eliza]

just talk to senior English teachers to see what Hamlin and Echols, with approval from Lincoln Center, established about changing senior grades and expectations. Now, a grade from Waukegan High School means nothing, completely obliterating the efforts and talents of our top students who can hold their own against anyone, anywhere.
Dumbing down continues, at an unrealistic pace-with the full support of Hamlin, Echols, Lamping, and who knows who else.

MOVE NOW!

[TeacherThoughts]

This needs to become more public! Perhaps in a Letter to the Editor of the News Sun or Daily Herold? Students who work hard and get A's and B's deserve them! Students who don't come to school, don't do homework, deserve to repeat the classes!

[TeacherThoughts]

Sorry, forgot to add this...

Someone mentioned about getting a letter in your file by the Principal for not doing what he wants. Well if he does put a letter you have every right to rebuff it and that goes in the file as well! So if you have the proof that you say you do. sounds like you do, then rebuff his letter! Get your union rep and fight it! This so called "Principal," will continue to go about his ways until something is done! However, for a person who in not tenured, different story as they can pretty much get rid of you for any reason! But tenured teachers need to stick together!

[OhBrother]

Tenure needs to go.