Appealing a grade

Kuriin, BSN, RN · May 12, 2016

Teachers will often change their minds on how their grading policy works. It doesn't matter; a failed grade is still a failed grade. Some teachers will give an additional point to those who get it right or they may not give it back at all. Just ask about that. I do not believe you have any merit to appeal, though.

Zibbie · May 12, 2016

HAve you looked to see what your schools rules are about professors changing grading scales mid way?

Hdrodlady · May 12, 2016

The administrator of the nursing program says the individual teacher can. I get that in a "normal" college setting, an instructor can change their grading scale/weighted scale. However, in a "program", I'm not sure I agree with that. I am considering filing an appeal because at this point I don't really see that I have anything to lose. Of course, I can go back and retake the class and I plan to do that. However, what's the worst they are going to say? No, your appeal is not valid. I'm still in the same position I am in now.

Hdrodlady · May 12, 2016

I would point out however that when I told the administrator I was considering an appeal, her reaction as "alarmed". In addition, when speaking with the Dean about the process of appeal, he seemed to have absolutely no clue that the instructor could do that. Seemed odd. These two interactions kind of bolstered my initial reaction to go ahead and at least file the appeal.

Zyprexa_Ho · May 12, 2016

Throwing a question out does not disproportionately benefit only those who got the question wrong. It is removed from consideration.

pmabraham, BSN, RN · May 12, 2016

In the RN program I'm in, it is common for the cumulative final to be worth close to (or at times slightly over) 50% of the entire grade. A change of the final from 30% to 35% isn't significant; and, a final (especially cumulative) is a landmark showing of how much of the overall content was understood, comprehended and retained.

I think it would be fair for a prompt sit down with the professor to go over the exam, and potentially all previous exams. It is possible, though unlikely, that x questions might be removed from consideration but as the previous poster shared, that might have extremely little impact.

Also, if you have a copy of the syllabus from the course start where it shares the breakdown the professor changed part way through the class, then that might be a point for an argument. However, being blunt, if I was the dean hearing your argument, I would be asking why you waited until you failed to complain about the change vs. when you failed? If you would not have failed, would you have brought up the grading system change to anyone?

Hdrodlady · May 12, 2016

That is a good point. Let's through another wrinkle into this. Just met with the director of the program. Even though I have passed all of my classes up to this last class, she informs me that if I wish to retake Pharm 2, I will have to retake all of my previous finals from all of my previous classes in the program and pass those, as well as be tested out again on all procedures. I passed all my previous finals otherwise I would have already been dismissed from the program. I've already tested out on all previous procedures. I'm sorry, but there is no way I can do this again. She indicated she wants me not to "forget" all of my previously learned material. Well I would certainly be hitting my pharm book to know and learn everything I can from that in order to prepare myself for the class, as well as doing constant review of my NCLEX book. I wonder if this "requirement" has anything to do with the fact that they are the lowest in the state for their NCLEX pass rate. In fact, in the last two years, 2014 and 2015, their percentage has fallen by 13%!

Kuriin, BSN, RN · May 12, 2016

Again, I don't believe you have any merit to appeal. Teachers regularly will change the weight of assignments. The best suggestion I have for you is to discuss with the teacher that it would be fair if everyone received a point for that one question, rather than just those who did not get it. You going up the chain of command without even speaking to the teacher is very unprofessional.

caliotter3 · May 12, 2016

I don't agree with the requirement for you to redo all of your course exams and checkoffs over slightly more than one point. It is not necessary to steamroll you to achieve their goals.

Hdrodlady · May 12, 2016

I have spoken with the instructor, and then the director of the program both prior to the discussion about the appeal. I have followed the chain of command.

John_T · May 13, 2016

I'd encourage you to appeal. I once appealed a grade for the exact same reason - the instructor changed the grading criteria midway through the course. Her reasoning was that it benefitted the majority of the students in the class. My argument was that it hurt me. I told them I didn't care what they did about other students grades that I was only concerned about mine and state I wanted to be evaluated based on the criteria distributed at the beginning of the course. I won my appeal and was awarded the higher grade. No other students grades were impacted (that I know of) based on my appeal.