Student Grade Appeals Can be Reduced

Abstract

It's the end of the semester and Professor Jones reminds himself to stop by the drugstore on the way home from the university to pick up more aspirin. He knows that as soon as the students receive their grades, he will have at least a dozen students calling him or com ing by his office. These discussions will range from timid requests to see the final examinations to outright arguments and threats to file a grade appeal. He ex periences many headaches during this period, and the fact that he has had several grade appeals filed in the past few years does not make him feel any better. He notices that his colleague across the hall never seems to have much difficulty explaining grades in a more-or-less satisfactory manner to her students. At any rate, he observes that this professor has never been involved in any grade appeals. Professor Jones mutters to himself that some people have all the luck. Contrary to the opinion of Professor Jones, some grade appeals can be avoided. In fact, many grade ap peals can be traced to a breakdown in communication between the student and the professor. Most of this problem could be alleviated by the professor changing his classroom approach without radically interfering with his teaching style or conduct of the class. But it will take organization and planning on the part of the pro fessor.