Please let me start by saying, I didn't go well this semester, I am solely responsible for the grades I received, and I have upmost respect and no complaints for any faculty/professors I have encountered. My exam average after taking the final is a 74.6, so I was informed my other grades wouldn't be added and I failed the course.
Before being admitted into the program, I had to sign acknowledgment of my school's Nursing Student Handbook. It states in there that it is revised yearly, and if there are any changes, students will be notified via email.
Here is what the handbook states regarding course grading, which is the same throughout every class within the nursing program.
"Grading: The SON adheres to all academic policies and procedures established by XXXX(the name of the school I am attending) including those related to grading. Additionally, the SON employs higher academic standards in order to receive a passing grade in the course. The process of student evaluation is provided through the grading process of required curriculum as posted on course syllabi.
Grading Scale and Program Standing: All grades to students are reported as letter grades which are usually computed from a point system. The following grading scale was developed by the SON and is used in all program required curriculum. A grade of 'C' (minimum 75.00) or better is required for satisfactory progress in the nursing program.
Rounding Rule: Students must achieve an average a grade of 75 or higher on course exams in order to pass the course. A course/quiz exam average at or below 74.49 will not be rounded up. Grades from other assignments, when applicable, will only be added if the student has a quiz and exam average at or above 75."
The course syllabus states:
"Students must achieve an average grade of 75 or higher on all exams (unit and final) and score a Pass score on the final lab check off in order to pass the course. A course/exam average at or below 74.99 will NOT be rounded up. Grades from other assignments will only be added if the student has an exam average at or above 75. If the student exam average (including the final exam) is
To me, I see the Handbook (which we have been told is the bible for school) as saying any exam average below a 74.49 will not be rounded up (meaning everything above a 74.49 is ultimately a 75). If that is not the case, why would the "rounding rule" paragraph be there? Wouldn't it just simply state that there is "absolutely NO rounding pertaining to exam averages anything below 75 results in a failure"?
I met with my professor and she informed that it is the university's policy that they do not round up, period. But she also told me that the Student Handbook holds more weight than her syllabus and that all classes abide by the University grading system which is listed in the Student Handbook.
She acknowledged that the Handbook needs clarification and that it is probably a typo or 74.49 is just an example the university is using to show that they do not round.
Should I appeal on grounds that my grade should be passing according to the student handbook? If I do appeal and they tell me the syllabus was correct and the Handbook is a typo, should I pursue it further?
And finally, I do know regardless of what happens, I need to get my act together!! I am currently looking at various resources for improving my test taking ability!! Thank you for taking the time to read this lengthy post!
