I am in my first year of teaching at a small private college. I only have 3 students in my class! I just gave an exam on 2 chapters and had a D and 2 F's. And this was a computer-generated exam from the test bank that came with the text! I had even given them a study guide, which I wrote after I had made up the exam!
 
One of the reasons I just joined this list and a few others, was for ideas, support, and inspiration. So, Annette & others, what do you do besides give a make-up exam? I don't really want to do that. I do not have class time to spend on that. I assigned an essay combining elements from both chapters, for 15 points towards their exam grade (total of 60 points). They had the weekend to do it. I feel I have to know that they understand the material or else I cannot give them a passing grade on the material.
 
I have also been very disappointed in the quality of their writing. What are they teaching in high schools, anyway? These students were probably considered good students in high school. So, I have had to lower my expectations of their writing or they would all be failing! Other instructors there are  having the same problems.
I was an undergraduate just three years ago myself and I would not have dreamed of turning in papers of the level that they are.
 
Molly Straight

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