Dispute final class grade!

[Curious0599]

Hi all, I have a situation and hope someone can help...

I go to a private college and the classes there are month by month (not semesters) anyway, last month (March) I was scheduled to take the next class and found we had another "new" instructor with no previous teaching experience, (this has happened before but thats a whole other story). So, as we proceed through the month and take the first quiz, I got a 72% which our passing grade is 80%, I am usually an A B student, so I asked the instructor what I missed in our notes or in our book that I did not study because I was floored when I got the quiz and found the information being tested on was not what we went over in class. She said, its in your book....OK so I look through both the NCLEX book and the Med Surg books we are required to have and find NO information on the things she tested on! The whole rest of the month is like this.....at the end of the month after inquiring over and over to get a copy of her notes she uses to lecture on and what book she is getting the info out of.....she fails me by 2.6 points! So out of 6 people in this class 4 failed!

So I go to the Dean...wrote an appeal letter, dropped it off. The next couple days I call to talk to the Dean but had to leave a message, this happened 4 times and no response. I so I email the Dir. Of Nursing and he tells me the Dean has no such letter! WHAT!?!?!?!? SO i email the Dir. of Nursing the letter, he says he will talk to the Dean and call me later today....UGH! Never have I missed one day of class or clinical since last May, study my rear-end off, make good grades and they put a new instructor in there and she fails me??????? I asked to see a copy of all my tests and quizzes to reference where the information came from and the Dir. of Nursing says he will get back to me about that........ I dont no what to do...I am my wits end....I will graduate in July if all goes well.....so close, anyone with ANY advice please contact me....thanks for your help

[laurainri]

we had some of the same problems at out school. They are supposed to reference the question out of the book or talk about it in class. This is when they say that they have academic freedom. But maybe because there are only 6 of you in the class and more than 1/2 failed somthing might be able to get done. If she is using a totally different book than you are and not just a different edition than you might have a case I would think. Good luck

[justme1972]

Don't panic yet....school administrators have alot of responsibilities toward the end of the year. I would continue to follow up with the DEAN..not your Director of Nursing...the Dean is your first step. Give that individual an opportunity to correct the situation first.

The instructor has to show where he or she got the questions from. If the instructor cannot prove that he or she drew the questions from the notes or the book, or other material presented in class, then you have a good case.

I'm in a battle right now with my Chemistry professor because for the last two labs he has tested us on material that we have not reviewed in class...these are complex math problems, and the lab is running ahead of the lecture, but the entire course is designed for the other way around...but my Dean is listening to me.

You just have to be able to prove your case....show that you know the material, show where the instructor is wrong.

[Curious0599]

Thanks you all for your responses! I will have proof of not getting the information tested on once they let me review and reference information from my tests and quizzes....I am waiting on a call back today from the Dir. of Nursing...so if he doesnt give me what I am looking for I will stick to contacting the Dean...AGAIN... Hope things work out for you guys as well!

[AirforceRN, RN]

Unless it is a first year class that is used as a "weeding out" thing (like calculus for instance) I don't think there should ever be over 50% of the class failing. In theory there should be a nice bell curve. Its kind of hard with only 6 students but I think something is wrong if the majority of people fail. I'd keep doing what you are doing and good luck.

[Curious0599]

Thanks so much airforcern2b. I'm pluggin away

[justme1972]

Thanks you all for your responses! I will have proof of not getting the information tested on once they let me review and reference information from my tests and quizzes....I am waiting on a call back today from the Dir. of Nursing...so if he doesnt give me what I am looking for I will stick to contacting the Dean...AGAIN... Hope things work out for you guys as well!

My only question, is does the professor that you are having the grade dispute with report directly to the Director of Nursing or to the Dean?

[Curious0599]

My "professor" who has never taught before reports to the Dir. of Nursing. I feel like the Dean is not in it at all but the Dir. of Nursing said he spoke to the Dean.