Is this the norm in high school?

[Ivorytickler]

Originally Posted by crankywithakeyboard

Maybe not everyone should be put in a chemistry class, then. I've taught Chem also and many of these kids have no chance in hell of ever getting chemistry.

This is, definitely, a problem. Here in Michigan, we've "raised the bar" by requiring all kids pass chemistry to graduate. Which really means, we water down chemistry so every student CAN pass. Some still don't but it's not for lack of easy grading. I have my grading scale set up so that you can pass my class getting only 50's on the tets. I still fail several students per year. If I taught chemistry like my chemistry teacher did in high school, I'd fail 1/3 of my class.

[MassVt]

Originally Posted by Ivorytickler

This is, definitely, a problem. Here in Michigan, we've "raised the bar" by requiring all kids pass chemistry to graduate. Which really means, we water down chemistry so every student CAN pass. Some still don't but it's not for lack of easy grading. I have my grading scale set up so that you can pass my class getting only 50's on the tets. I still fail several students per year. If I taught chemistry like my chemistry teacher did in high school, I'd fail 1/3 of my class.

Read Frank McCourt's bestseller "Teacher Man" to get some tips on how to "raise" a kid's grade, creatively, in order to avoid flunking half the class, and having the administration/parents coming after you....hysterical...

[3days]

Originally Posted by bibit612

I have 2 kids in HS now. My experience is that it depends on the teacher. My daughter could get away with texting during class now. It may also have something to do with the fact that she's a senior. She never used to do that earlier on. My son who is a sophomore will never attempt this.

I'm wondering if you know what the school's policy on using a cellphone during class is. If so, do you support the school? If you don't support the school, why don't you?

I'm not trying to put you on the spot in any way; I'm a teacher who routinely deals with students violating school policy and have had parents become confrontational when I enforce the no use policy. I even have parents who will call their children during class... I don't understand that logic at all, but I've considered the Mr. Hand method of showing up on an important familial evening and demanding that the student make up the time lost in class right then If that doesn't make sense, you'll need to watch Fast Times at Ridgemont High.