Today I submitted all my paperwork and
Kids in upper secondary can miss 50% or more of their classes, fail all their tests and not submit any work throughout the year. It is expected of the teacher and the teacher’s assistant to give this student extra work to attain a passing grade. So the teacher is meant to go out of their way, chase the kid and wipe their ass so they can get a passing mark, bullshit to that I say.
I never want to have a student not pass my class. Students that are weak are taken aside, parents are called and then ways of improving the student’s English ability is offered to the parents. I always try to involve the parents so that they monitor their child and make sure they are trying to improve.
Sometimes this works wonders and the student improves leaps and bounds. Other times the student makes no improvement and the parents are again called in for a meeting to discuss what they are doing at home to help there child. Some parents sadly believe it is entirely the teacher’s responsibility to do everything for their kid.
Anyway I could go on and on. So today some of the pen pushers were not happy with the grades I had given, I couldn’t care less what they thought as they don’t stand in my classroom and teach the students 5 days a week. They don’t see the effort being made or not, they don’t know if the student can read a word or a sentence. They don’t know if the student participates in class activities and so forth. So where do they get of telling me that I have to pass a student they no nothing about.
I asked this question, “Why do the students have to be passed?”
The answer was, because it looks bad to the public. I was lost for words. Having a few students with low scores and this score going to the main educational office is seen as an embarrassment to the school apparently.
In the end I feel sorry for the student, as they need help. The school sadly wants this to be overlooked so everything looks fine and dandy on paper. The parents go on believing that little Johnny is just passing but in reality he could be failing miserably.
If I was a parent, I would want to know that my child had problems and what they were so I could help improve them or get help so that they can reach an acceptable level to achieve a pass. Wouldn’t everyone be like this?
And to top it all off, it was explained to me that I should apparently be giving the student extra work (already do this), helping them out in my lunchtime or after school (don’t do this as I am not insane and have a life outside of the school), keep an official record of all the things I have done to help the student and also records of the meetings (no one ever told me there was a sheet for this, but I have copy of letters sent to parents asking them to meet with me).
So apparently it is entirely my, the teacher's responsibility and no one else’s (say the parents) that the students pass. So I have called a meeting with every student that hasn’t passed my class, I am making a list of the problems for each student and possible ways to improve the student. I will also inform them of their true or real score or grade and that the school is giving them the false grade so they obtain a pass mark and this is done so that everything looks great on paper and the school’s nose is still straight with the local education office.
And just through luck today, a parent with one of the students, who hasn’t passed was at the school. An impromptu meeting was made (spoken to her before) and we sat down for a good reality check. All his exams were pulled out, his problems were laid on the table and ways to try and improve his grades were offered. The mother was really nice and it didn’t surprise me when she said that he was lazy at home just like in class. This was reinforced in all his subject grades and comments from teachers.
His mother explained she had bought a 30,000 Baht learning English set a little while again but he had never really used it. So she had made some effort to try and help him but this is not what he needs.
He is in primary 5 or ten years old. His English ability is that of a primary 2 student or a seven year old. He needs to start at the very basics and build his vocabulary as now this is virtually zero. He reads basic words as ‘in, the, a, an.’ but to read, “Hello, my name is Adam. I am ten years old.” He would probably read is, am, I, but the other words would be a challenge and the reading is really laboured.
He has a big road ahead of him and lots of work to do. He only came into the programme this year, so maybe he had never studied with a native speaker before. It would have been a massive leap into the deep end of a swimming pool and sadly he couldn’t swim and has fallen further behind.
I know that back when I was ten, over 20 years ago, if a teacher told my parents I wasn’t towing the line I would have been given a very stern warning and if it happened again for sure would have had the strap across my butt. But it smartened you up. Didn’t most of us get a good old reminder in those days to wisen up? This is the problem today for me, parenting is too soft and kids just walk over parents. That’s my view.
Look I could jump through hoops, say ‘yes’ to everything and so forth but this isn’t me. My only concern is for my students. They come first, before the school’s status, not what some people sitting in the education department might think at the sight of a fail mark.
If the student has a problem the parent needs to be made aware of this, they need to help them improve; they need to become involved in their education. I am not going to be one of the majority (99.99%) that just write in the passing grade and go on holidays leaving a child with a problem that isn’t going to be addressed. That isn’t me, never will be.
Maybe I am wrong; maybe I am blind and just too blinkered and it is better to tell little lies so everyone is happy, no ripples are caused on the water and life goes on smoothly for all. Should I really care? Not my child, not my money, not my child’s future, or you can say ‘not my problem.’ No, can’t do that. That’s not me..
Brunty
What do you think? Am I being unreasonable? Should I just pass these kids and forget about it all?
17 comments:
It may be that some students just don't have the aptitude to learn alongside the class. But, you can probably identify these kids, and (like you already do) meet with their parents and give them extra homework. These students are probably worth the extra effort.
Now, the lazy 10-year old doesn't have an "academic aptitude" problem. The teacher does what he/she can, but you really can't afford to stop teaching your other 20 students for the sake of motivating 1 or 2 slackers. If you've done what you can, but they still don't measure up by year's end, I think you're perfectly justified in failing them.
However, based on what you said about the administrators at your school, I suspect your "failing" marks might be revised/changed upward to "passed" by the time they're officially given out by the school.
Ken C., Southern California, USA
THAT is the question...
To me - you either play by their rules or leave. You know how the system works - you've been there for years. Every year what do you end up doing? Arguing about it... thinking that you'll make a stand and actually help someone, but what happens? Kids with low marks get passing grades. If you're trying to make a stand about it - all you can really do is tell the parents - your kid isn't up to par. If they care they'll bring them up to par. If not, you can't possibly be responsible for all those kids yourself. Impossible.
So, do you go home feeling good about yourself because you told the parents - the kids need work, I've done what I can - it's in your hands like the kid's entire life IS in their hands...if they care, they care and make the effort.
If not - do you feel good about what you did?
To me - I have to ask - do I feel good about myself? If the teachers change the grades in my grade books after I leave - like they always did - is it my failure?
Nah. I always felt good about myself. Tell the kids and parents what the kids get. Let them deal with it. I'm father to one girl, not 200 kids I teach.
Besides that, in the big picture a kid learning in the English program is not necessarily going to use English for his/her lifetime and have it be a meaningful part of their income, their lives. Their parents are playing the game - "I put my kid in the English program because it has status."
Do you think "Garn" is going to use his English the rest of his life to live a better life? I don't. I'm ok with some kids not passing - and yet getting passing marks. It's not the way I'd do it - but, when in Rome do like Caligula - and take it up the tookus like everyone else.
Unfortunately this situation remains the same throughout the education system, even at supposedly "good" universities like Thammasat and Chula. I believe it's the reason why Thai kids suffer from a very low IQ level relative to most foreign countries (86-87 according to a Ministry of Education survey) and the reason why Thailand never gets beyond "copycat" industries - no investment, no innovation, no research, no patents.
Thai society is more concerned about appearance than real skills or achievement - hence students will readily lie about their qualifications and experience on a cv.
As for whether you should stick to your principles, I think it's a waste of time if you want to keep your job. A friend of mine who taught a creative writing class at Thammasat a few years ago was sacked by the board because he asked the students to explain what they meant by something they had said in their essays. None of them could answer questions like this because all the essays were copied from a single source and they had not even read their own submissions. They went to management and had him dismissed for being "too hard" on them.
Nobody fails at Thammasat or Chula either, but the standard is appallingly low (where I work we take a lot of engineering graduates from these two unis).
Mate, for what it's worth - I think you are doing the right thing. The problem is it may well backfire on you some day. The bottom line is that as long as you feel that you have done the best for the students (which is your jon, not best for the parents or school) and you can sleep at night then that is all that matters.
Will the school change the final grade even after you fail them?
Newt some students definitely don’t have the aptitude to learn in the class. The problem is the English Bilingual Programme is a special programme and some students have the advantage where they have already studied 2 or 3 years through kindergarten (They start at 3 years old) of learning with a native English speaker.
Then a student from a rural school, decide to invest a good amount of money and hopefully give their child a better chance at life. Sadly the child might not be able to even do the alphabet; little only read the most basic vocabulary being taught.
The other kids usually know the alphabet backwards and forwards, they already have a good range of vocabulary and this makes the new kid on the block very shy. And the parents usually can’t help their child too much as their grasp on English is virtually zero as well where other kids parents are pretty fluent.
The lazy 10 year old, I have always been I never hold my class up for a few bad eggs to say. I can offer the information, offer them support but I am not their parent or personal tutor.
The head of the English department, once asked my team teacher to sit with one such student, all the class time to help them. I quickly knocked that idea on the head and reminded her that she was to help every student in the class and not be dedicated to only one student.
And Ken, the grades will be changed for sure; they have in previous years as well. I will meet the parents and inform them of the problems and why their score was low and the rest is up to them.
Vern, you know as you have been there and done that. As always the hierarchy of the school only worries about the apparent excellent reputation the school has. I have a meeting with the 9 students who didn’t achieve a passing grade on Saturday and will inform them of the reasons and maybe ways they can help their child improve.
I do feel good that the parents know there is a problem but many of the parents don’t want to know as they think their kid is perfect and what is a lowly teacher doing telling them that their kid isn’t so fantastic. But again I enjoy this as I am not Thai and when I give them a good dose of reality it usually ends in the Thai teachers being oh so polite to the tossers.
And as you said, maybe 1% of these kids might wind up using English everyday in a job.
Siam I know about the universities and have seen stuff written in different forums where teachers or lecturers have vented. I have a friend at Thammasat his first year and some of the things he told me were pretty amazing.
I have been there five years now and if they sacked me I wouldn’t lose minutes sleep. I know sticking to my guns will do little but I sadly have some principals and will do what I think is right and if the administrators want to change the grades (they will) they are free to do so as I will have let the parents know this.
I failed secondary 12 or year 12 students for this very reason. They handed in assignments completely copied and pasted work. They didn’t have a bibliography and they had been given the strict criteria for the projects to follow.
I was given the, ‘can you give them a pass mark?’ and I replied ‘can you talk a long walk off a short pier?’
Memok, I am pushing shit uphill as the saying goes, but I am a determined bastard and love to fight what is right. The union man in me. I always think what is right for the kid, the school has to know that. They do not come first, it’s my kids and they are well down the list.
Ubon, yes they will as they always have. I found this out a few years ago after I stumbled upon it and I queried why my grades had been changed. That was the first time I sent letters directly to parents bypassing the head of the department to inform the parents the grades had been changed. This went down a little sideways then.
Thanks guys for all dropping by and your thoughts, really appreciated and enjoyed your comments and advice.
Brunty
What's sad to me is that this problem isn't unique to Thailand, not at all. Here in Taiwan, the kids are supposed to pass - so the teacher figures out a way to make it happen. I'm just happy that as the decorative object called a Native English Teacher I don't have to do any of the grading or setting of exams,etc.
But if I did, I've got plenty of experience from doing essentially the same thing in previous teaching jobs in the U.S. where schools with too many failing students might be closed or lose funding - in other words, this is a universal problem, in my experience which now covers 3 countries (U.S., UAE [the WORST to date] and Taiwan).
Brunty,
Since the grades will be changed later anyway and the system (your boss) doesn't support your accurate grading style; it may be worth you to continue to give your grades (the correct level of aptitude)but not fight the system or get upset when they confront you or ask you about it.
That way you have piece of mind of doing your job right; with the added happiness of not arguing against an unobtainable goal of accurate grades.
"I sadly have some principals "
But apparently no principles ?
Sorry, but when a native speaking English teacher makes several spelling and grammatical errors whilst complaining about the low standards of Thai students and the education system I have to wonder who is at fault ?
SLteacher thanks for that information. It is interesting to read that Taiwan are like this as well.
Australia too is becoming like the U.S and limiting funding to schools that don't make the grade.
The sad part is it seems they think the teachers are miracle workers and can somehow in their paid time find miraculous ways to educate all children so they can all pass.
If my classes were around 20 I could dedicate my time to individual students but in classes of 35 it is impossible.
Franky, you are 100% right my friend.
Anon, I shouldn't blog when very tired and also little tipsy but no excuses for not proof reading.
I haven't even read the post but will now for the mistakes.
Never claimed to be perfect.
Gosh. Some blog readers sure are pernickety aren't they? At best a blog is a form of online conversation, not the New York Times or a research paper. We all mistakes in normal conversation so personally I think it makes blogs more human and accessible.
Geez Anon, I have just read the post and "yes" there were a few mistakes here and there but I was expecting something worse than I found.
You are one anal one, I got the majority of it right. Never mind I should be perfect as teaching English in say USA or Australia teachers would never make such mistakes.
But really thanks for your imput and pleaseee informm mee when I screwe upe againe.
Okay I am taking the piss but really thanks for letting me know and look forward to more comments from you.
I say stick at what you are doing and fail the kids that arent cutting the grade. Bad luck if that expect to have all passe's. In the real world this doesnt happen, so why should it happen in Thailand.
over the years i have heard a few English teachers reach the same conclusion that there best efforts are not really needed more fulfilling a role as a entertainer and even more so in the more upmarket establishment one chap working in a pattaya told me all the school wanted was a few well qualified falangs on board and there input was not really welcome when it involved procedures and curriculum
giving the failing students a passing mark invalidates the work of the students who are passing. it's a slap in the face to the hard working students.
i would be inclined to just give A's across the board, with 100% as the score, so everyone knows the grades are crap.
when i was living with my lady , and her daughter , sometimes i spied (spy ,correct me if i did a mistakes) her grade'book ,i noticed that all childrens had a same grade ,more and less ,i was so surprising to discover between a worst and a best student , there are just a little bit different of scores .
a day has beguan to teach french , i figured out what it happened in her classroom of my step'daugther , that sure , they only spent to copying each-others , and didn't does any efforts at home at all . but a worst things was a tee-age , ( they were as 14 years old ) had any abilities or skills to present into a sheet(page), any good presentation . someone wrote in a corner , as anothers was written in middle sheet paper!!! any date or name of exercice 'days . i was confused so much about this lack of acknoledge .
but to answerd to you , don't be worry you are not able to cope this trouble just by yourself . that a ways in thailand isn't it ?
that right , parents are not ble to help kids , but however i never seen my step daughter doing her best at home or just learn a bit , no she prefered ,rather playing "on computer live messenger and some others hi5 , badoo etc;. until midnight , and her mother you ask me ? she was calm down and never care about her free-time . that a ways for a thai family in issan .
lazy doesn't suit these kids but rather education or problem of culture'wrong , i think that a kids doesn't have a real will to learn because they think that doesn't mean sometthing for theirs future . you have to do everything with a sanook'ways to grab theirs attention , but for sure you ever known .
Your all comments get something right and i agree with , thailand is not concerned with schools 'programms ,and you have to follow theses rules who are cheating and lies into a kids and a promises of better days . (low education that mean low employees with a low capacities )
thailand manege or deal a group communication rather some individualities , your classroom have to pass on , but nobodies get a real abilities to on .but a most important things that thes kids made me laugh a lot and it's great to see them funny to talk french or english .
Cheer up brunty .
eric
ps sorry i hope that i didn't injure your language .
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