Title: Concern About My Grades
I feel that my teacher at TDSB has unfairly impacted my grades, and I can’t seem to find a formal appeals process. Has anyone been able to successfully challenge a grade in the past? If so, what steps did you take?
I’ve completed every assignment this term and achieved scores above 98% consistently. I’m not just someone who relies on tools like ChatGPT; I’m an active participant in class, and I haven’t answered a question incorrectly since September. Yet, in my language course, where I believe I deserved a 99%, I was only given a 90%. The saying, “There’s always room for improvement,” doesn’t fit my situation—I’ve already performed at my best. I received a 98% in History but an unfair 85% in several other subjects.
It’s worth mentioning that our teacher doesn’t engage us in discussions; we mostly sit quietly while she assigns tasks. Keep in mind, we’re only in Grade 8. I find this situation frustrating and would appreciate any advice on how to fairly dispute my grades. Thank you!
It sounds really frustrating to feel like your hard work isn’t being recognized with the grades you deserve. Here are some steps you could take to dispute the grade in a constructive way:
Speak to Your Teacher: Approach your teacher calmly and respectfully. Explain your concerns about your grades and bring up specific examples of your work and participation. Ask for clarification on how your grades were determined. Sometimes, teachers may not realize how their grading can affect students.
Document Your Work: Keep a record of all your assignments, tests, and any feedback you’ve received. If possible, print or save copies of your submitted work and any positive comments you might have received.
Talk to a Parent or Guardian: Share your concerns with a parent or guardian. They can help you prepare for discussions with your teacher or school administration and may even want to attend meetings with you.
Reach Out to a Guidance Counselor: If talking to your teacher doesn’t lead to a resolution, consider going to a guidance counselor. They can provide support and help you navigate the situation.
Understand the Grading Policy: Make sure you know the grading criteria for each class. Sometimes there are specific factors that play into how grades are calculated, which you may not be aware of.
Formal Appeal: If you still feel your grade is unfair after discussing it with your teacher and counselor, ask about the formal appeal process at your school. In some cases, there might be a way to appeal your grade through school administration.
Remember to approach the situation with an open mind; sometimes there are factors we aren’t aware of. Good luck, and I hope you achieve the grades you deserve!