Should students be penalized due to Instructors Mistake ?

[NurseLoveJoy88]

Yesterday students just found out that something was mis-keyed in the our first exam ( 6 weeks ago) so therefore some of us either lost or gained 1 point, and some people did not have any change. I was one of the lucky ones that gained 1 point so going from a 81 to 82 was no big deal to me. However, there are some that lost a point and was hanging on the borderline of failing with 1 pt making the difference. I personally feel that students should not have points deducted due to the instructor mis- keying the scan tron. I feel for those who thought they passed that exam and didn't. In nursing school 1 point can make a difference and I've seen students fail for that 1pt or less.

The other problem is that we are taking our final today and they are just now letting us know about this even after grades have been posted 6 weeks ago. What do you all think? Should students have point(s) subtracted even if its as a result of the instructor making an error?

Some of my classmates are outraged.

[melmarie23, MSN, RN]

If they had the question wrong, then it should be marked as such. I dont see what is unfair about a correct and accurate grade.

Then again I am one of those who when a professor realizes such a grading mistake and in turn gives the whole class the extra point, and I had the wrong answer after the said correction, feel as if I dont deserve the extra point.

My peers think I am crazy sometimes. They might be right.

[luvbug080688]

At my school if a teacher errors in any way on the test and they catch it and correct it, they make sure it does not affect any body negatively. When grades are adjusted no one's grade will go down, they will either to up or stay the same.

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

At my school if a teacher errors in any way on the test and they catch it and correct it, they make sure it does not affect any body negatively. When grades are adjusted no one's grade will go down, they will either to up or stay the same.

That is how my teachers have always been, they will credit the ones that deserve it but they don't take away points. I have pointed out a few errors before on my exams and the teacher said no worries. They have told us if it's marked wrong and we got it right to bring it to their attention and they will correct it but if it's marked right when it's wrong to just consider yourself lucky.

[2BSure]

As for the taking such a long time for this grading error to come to light -- it is a pity but not a crime. From what I have read and it seems like many schools need to raise their game. These days students consider themselves customers paying for a commodity and that is not wrong per se. However, it is my experience that insisting on good customer service from an institution in which you are a student can often put you at odds with administration and instructors. It is unfortunate that these people not only can impact your career as a student but can sometimes have influence at places you want to work. I have had some nursing instructors who were so bad they took my breath away.

It took me a long time before I learned to choose my battles and I still haven't got it right.

I wish you luck.

[caliotter3]

If the students who got the wrong answer do not have a point subtracted, then the students who got the answer right should not have a point added. Everyone should be treated fairly.

[Music in My Heart]

If the students who got the wrong answer do not have a point subtracted, then the students who got the answer right should not have a point added. Everyone should be treated fairly.

Yes, everyone should be treated fairly.

If they marked the correct answer then they should get the point; if they marked the wrong answer, they shouldn't.

Pretty simple.

[caliotter3]

You can not change grades for one set of students and not change grades for the opposite set of students and claim that you are being fair.

[cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN]

If someone is on the borderline such that 1 point really makes the difference between passing the class and failing the class then I'd just as soon see them lose the unearned point and fail.

Wow. I couldn't agree more.

I read the original post wrong. Now I see that the grades HAVE been corrected and all students now have the grade they actually scored. .

Wait, what? I misread the OP as well. Sooo, the students who lost the point, still lost the point? The scores are accurate?

Are you freaking kidding me? These students are whining about not getting a free point? Puhleese...

[Music in My Heart]

You can not change grades for one set of students and not change grades for the opposite set of students and claim that you are being fair.

To be fair one must simply apply the correct answer to everybody. If the answer deemed correct by the teacher is then anyone who pick get the point; anyone who didn't, doesn't.

Imminently fair.

[cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN]

It seems the mistake was made 6 weeks ago when some people got a free point who didn't deserve it.

The teachers found the mistake and fixed it.

I think that's pretty fair!

[Jolie, BSN]

Are you freaking kidding me? These students are whining about not getting a free point? Puhleese...

I can just see the scenario in my mind: A student comes into the final thinking that if s/he gets a 75 on the final, s/he will have just enough points to pass the course.

The earlier test scores are corrected, and s/he now needs a 76 on the final to pass the course.

The students gets a 75 on the final and complains that s/he failed the course by one point because the instructor unfairly took away a point.

[~FutureNurse~]

I don't really think it us a huge deal--it is only one point. However, with that said, my teachers would not do this. We actually had this exact thing happen--while we were reviewing our old tests for finals. Our teacher said she would not be taking a point away from anyone this far into the game. I don't think it is unfair--why did it take so long though? Anywho--it is just a a point, so it really can't hurt THAT much.