Re: test grades

["Spagna Jr., George" <gspagna@RMC.EDU>]

Joe asks:


-----Original Message-----
From: Joe Heafner [mailto:heafnerj@CTC.NET]
Sent: Sunday, January 11, 2004 7:03 PM

> A theoretical question: Should a student who earns a failing grade on
> every test (including the final exam) have any possibility of passing
> the course even if quizzes, homework assignments, labs, and attendance
> (and any other pertinent factors) are all in good order? I'm leaning
> heavily toward "no" but I'm interested in others' opinions.

> Cheers,
> Joe Heafner -- Astronomy/Physics Instructor

I'd lean the same way, with a few caveats.  

Does your syllabus indicate the relative weights given to each graded component?  Does it state that students may fail the course for cause even if their numerical grade is minimally passing?  You may be inviting a firestorm if you haven't done so.

******************************************** 
  "I am greatly relieved that the universe
  is finally explainable.  I was beginning to 
  think it was me."          - Woody Allen
******************************************** 
George Spagna 
Department of Physics 
Randolph-Macon College 
P.O. Box 5005 
Ashland, VA 23005-5505 
phone: (804) 752-7344     
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e-mail: gspagna@rmc.edu 
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