Unfair treatment

Fuzzy · Mar 13, 2005

Start walking up the complaint ladder. Start with the instructor. Again be nice and as nonconfrontational as possible. Take in your last test paper, your notes, etc. as you ask her why she dropped this question. Show her where you found the correct answer. If that doesn't work go further up the ladder: to the head of the department; to the head of the division; than to the Deans of Students and Instruction. Hopefully you won't have to go further but than there's the President and even the Board of Trustees (or Reagents). Document the people that you spoke with as you walk up this chain of command. Also document what their solution to the problem is even if they say, 'there's nothing we can do about it'. As you walk up this ladder mention once in awhile how you are paying for this education and that you selected this program because you heard that it was wonderful and you thought that it would fit your needs. Also tell them that you have told several people how wonderful this program has been for you save this one class. (Many colleges rely on cheap word of mouth advertising to recruit students) Mention that you are also fullfilling your part of the bargain by studying hard and maintaining good grades. Your problem is that you are tired of the coursework of being "dummied down" so that anyone can pass especially those people that are not studying as hard as you do. I really cannot tell when the best time would be to start this but if it were me I would be doing it now. You might want to find other frustrated students in this class and do this as a group. One squeeky wheel might get greased but if there's a number of disgrunted students than changes will be made. After all a school would have a difficult time teaching students if there were no students to teach or money to pay instructors (even the bad ones).

Good Luck,

Fuzzy

MryRose · Mar 13, 2005

This instructor is not getting rid of "bad" questions because the answers are in the book or notes in most cases. Also, the I find the fact that she nullifies 15-26 percent of each test odd. She is picking questions that her favorites miss and throwing them out. I have proof.

That is indeed not fair and it would make me a bit upset too.

From the description you have given it sounds like there is some favoritism going on but I would really be careful about how this is handled too. I think that I would have to just ignore it..... hard but I think the best thing.

Because the instructor doesn't see a problem with it, and anything you do to call attention to it will affect how she grades you. She is NOT doing them any long term favors.... in that it WILL catch up to them in future classes and the NCLEX testing.

It does bother me when people do unfair things, but I have to also look at the end result..... is it going to effect my future classes, nursing skills, employment as a nurse and stuff like that. If any of that is effected then, yes make the waves. If it's just something that overall will not make any difference to my character or career, then let it go.

We have people who cheat on tests etc. in our classes too.... but unless it is going to personally effect me (getting me involved in any way shape or form) then I let someone else worry about it.

It's a lot less stressful.:)

BS Nursing Student · Mar 13, 2005

That is indeed not fair and it would make me a bit upset too.
From the description you have given it sounds like there is some favoritism going on but I would really be careful about how this is handled too. I think that I would have to just ignore it..... hard but I think the best thing.
Because the instructor doesn't see a problem with it, and anything you do to call attention to it will affect how she grades you. She is NOT doing them any long term favors.... in that it WILL catch up to them in future classes and the NCLEX testing.
It does bother me when people do unfair things, but I have to also look at the end result..... is it going to effect my future classes, nursing skills, employment as a nurse and stuff like that. If any of that is effected then, yes make the waves. If it's just something that overall will not make any difference to my character or career, then let it go.
We have people who cheat on tests etc. in our classes too.... but unless it is going to personally effect me (getting me involved in any way shape or form) then I let someone else worry about it.
It's a lot less stressful.:)

This cannot be let go. She is failing people who are making the same scores on the exams as the people she is giving the As. It is a favoritism contest. I don't know for sure that I will pass this course unless I take action.

MryRose · Mar 13, 2005

This cannot be let go. She is failing people who are making the same scores on the exams as the people she is giving the As. It is a favoritism contest. I don't know for sure that I will pass this course unless I take action.

Ohhh... that is not fair.

You will need to have documentation for proof, and more than one person taking action.

I did have one class in which our prof blatently informed us that he wished he had not accepted this assignment and frequently would cancel labs or would skip lecture material. He was substituting for a prof out on maternity leave. After accumulating documentation a couple of us spoke with the Dean, and it was immediately straightened up. The prof was pretty mad about it, but we did get our education.

We just made sure outline our concerns in writing, leave all emotions out of it and ask for the education we paid for and that was outlined in our syllabus.

Honestly tho, I doubt that this will get resolved. She will most likely state that the removal of the questions was fair, that you are just complainers (not that I believe that at all!), and that you just have to work harder for better grades. Testing is one of those gray areas, that teachers really can test on whatever they choose. Not always fair, but just the way it is.

Unless that department has a standardized test that is required for passing, then there isn't much you can do.

Again, I feel for you and think it's completely unfair.

HUGS!

MaryRose