Is this even legal??

Is This Grade Change Even Legal? Navigating a Sudden Shift in My Academic Assessment

Facing an unexpected issue with your grades can be both baffling and stressful. In this post, I’ll share my experience with a sudden, unexplained change in my essay grade and seek advice on how to address it.

Recently, I decided to go through my email after noticing a lack of alerts over the past few days. Imagine my shock when I discovered that my English teacher’s assistant had altered the grade on my essay from a respectable A or B to an F, without any explanation, on the 21st of the month.

The same teaching assistant had initially graded the essay back in January, commending my work with a reassuring “good job!” However, something puzzling caught my eye on the originality report. Previously, the content was marked at a mere 2% to 5% similarity—attributed mainly to citations and quoted text—but now, for reasons unknown, it has skyrocketed to 90%.

Faced with this dilemma, I promptly emailed my teacher last night, hoping for clarity. Unfortunately, she hasn’t responded yet. To complicate matters, today marks the end of the trimester, and there was no school yesterday. With no classes scheduled for today, I am left in a quandary about what steps to take next, as this essay now impacts my overall grade: my B has slipped to a C+ because the assignment carries the weight of a test grade.

Any insights or advice on how best to handle this situation would be greatly appreciated. Have you faced something similar, or do you have tips on resolving grade disputes effectively?

One Reply to “Is this even legal??”

  1. Dealing with unexpected changes in your academic performance, especially close to the end of a term, can be stressful. The situation you’ve described involves a sudden and significant grade change, apparently without clear justification or an opportunity for you to respond. Given these circumstances, here’s what you should consider and do next:

    1. Gather All Relevant Information:
    2. Original Correspondence: Ensure you have copies of any emails or messages from the TA or teacher that discuss your original grade and feedback.
    3. Originality Report: Keep a record of both the original and current originality report if you have access to these. This can help clarify why there might be a change in the report’s plagiarism assessment.

    4. Assignment and Rubric: Have a copy of your essay and any rubric or guidelines that were provided for grading, as these will be useful for making your case.

    5. Understand the Institution’s Policy:

    6. Look up your school’s policy on grade disputes and originality reports. Colleges and universities often have formal processes that need to be followed for grade appeals.

    7. Find out if there’s a system for questioning changes made by teaching assistants, especially if the main instructor is not easily reachable.

    8. Formalize Your Communication:

    9. Contact Your Instructor: Given that your teacher is not available, drafting a clear and concise email detailing the situation is crucial. Attach any relevant documentation, including previous correspondence and originality reports, and politely request a meeting to discuss this issue once they’re available.
    10. Reach out to the Department: If you cannot get a prompt response from your teacher, it might be appropriate to contact the head of the department or school’s administrative office to express your concerns.

    11. Follow Institutional Procedures: If there are specific protocols for submitting a formal grade dispute, follow these precisely. This could involve an online form, a written letter, or setting up an appointment.

    12. Legal Considerations:

    13. While it’s usually not a matter of legal intervention, if there’s evidence of bias or improper conduct, it could be worth discussing with a school counselor or an academic advisor.

    14. Check if your educational institution has an ombudsperson or similar role designed to handle disputes fairly and confidentially.

    15. Preventative Steps for the Future:

    16. Regularly back up all academic work and correspondence with educators to efficiently address any discrepancies.
    17. Consider learning about and
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