The Final Excuses

Last night, I gave my Composition I class final.  The test was worth 20% of the students' grades.  I told them this several times throughout the course of the semester.  I also told them (and printed in the syllabus) how much every single thing they did in class and outside class was worth.  Then I handed back every single thing they ever did, with the grade prominently printed at the bottom of the page. 

Finally, I gave them a study guide last week that spelled out what to study. I then told them that some of the lectures would be particularly important to the final, and if they had EVER missed a class, they should ask their friends for notes.

When I handed out the test, I explained how I had printed how many points each question was worth ON THE TEST ITSELF.

Here is my list of favorite things they came up to me during the class and said:

• But I don't know the answer to this one.
• I think the answer is "A."
• I don't remember this!
• What are you looking for here?
• How much will it hurt my grade if I don't answer these?

And my all-time favorite:

Was I here this day?

After I graded the finals, I was pleased. Last semester, not one student got an A in my class. This semester, I had three out of 18.  Now I am really not such a hard teacher - at least I don't think I am.  These students seem to be in shock that they are not getting all As.  This makes me wonder about the current state of our secondary school system, because if these cats were acing their high-school classes, then we are all in trouble and have no business competing in the global marketplace.

However, the As.  There is a glimmer of hope, after all.