"But I didn't pay to fail!"
Hi all,
One thing I've run into several times as a faculty member at a for-profit college is that students will tell me, "But I didn't pay to get an F!" They honestly feel that, since they paid, they should pass. I often have to sit down and talk to them about why they are failing, what they can do to pass, and then suggest resources. (It tends to occur when a student chooses to ignore their work and outreach attempts, but then shows up on the last few days and thinks they can complete all their work *right then!*)
Has anyone else found this entitlement in their students? How do you handle it?
Thanks,
Kate
Hi Bob,
I concur! Effort means a lot! There are some students that have the potential but are just lazy, and they will not work toward success. There are others that are willing, but they are not the sharpest knife in the draw, but they give there all and all. Effort speaks volume.
Patricia Scales
I simply say "you will only get out what you put in". If you exert no effort your grade is going to reflect that. I will never fail some one who gives me 100% effort, is always in class on time,and is courteous and helpful because this shows me that this person may not be the brightest but certainly is working to the best of his abilities.
Hi Darrell,
Students must be knowledgeable when they enter the workforce because it certainly is a lot at stake. Someone's life in your hands is crucial.
Patricia Scales
Hi Brian,
I too insruct in a for-profit school, and I do not give grades. Students must earn their grade, and they know this is my reputation. They also know that I will do everything in my power to help them succeed as long as they help themselves.
Patricia Scales
What I teach is not rocket science, but it is this close.
While this may not be medical school, when you graduate and get into the field, someone's life will be in your hands.
The lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part.
and finally
The willingness to learn is a sign of intelligence.
I instruct in a for profit school, I lay down the thought that you the student will earn what you get and I will not fail you, you will fail You!
Hi Mark,
I love what you tell your students. They are certainly not going to be able to call the shots just starting out in their career, therefore they need to get use to handling directives from higher authority.
Patricia Scales
Hi John,
I like to guide my students to success. I do not do their work for them, I set them up and guide them to help them find answers or do a procedure, if need be. I let them try to figure out things on their own in other words, with my guidance as their instructor.
Patricia Scales
Our students not only feel they should pass but also feel they should be able to do what ever they want during class. They feel that since they are paying to be here they should have all the say. I explain to them that they are paying me to prepair them for a career and the chances of them entering a field as the person that makes all the rules is slim. The employers want them to do certian things, this is what we are prepairing them for.
This is true I often tell my students that I will not be going with them when they graduate so they will have to learn to be their own best teacher. There is a fine line between treating a student as a customer and pushing them hard to get their full potential. Unfortunately some do fail when this happens they do not handle it well so I tell them failure is a chance to start over this time more informed.
Hi Paul,
We have to hold our students hands just enough to help them realize that they can do it once we let go of their hand. Self reliant is the key to being successful in the real world.
Patricia Scales
I like your insight on that it is not an attendance award or paid to pass type education. I always try to stress to my students that it is their education and they are paying for it and they should want to get as much as possible for thier money. I also tell them I am here to faciltate thier learning and the more they put in the more I can help. I sometimes stuggle with the student who doesn't want to put forth any effort and again expect that I am there to just give the answer. I try to set them up for success by pushing them to use the materials available to them first before asking for my assistance. I want them to be self reliant once they leave my class, and if the know the materials and what is in them to help them I believe gets them more involed in them learning how to support themselves
Hi Charles,
I concur! We can push students as hard as we can, but they must want it for themselves. Students have to realize that an education is not going to be given to them. They must work hard for their education.
Patricia Scales
I have had several students that feel they are entitled to a passing grade in the past 6 years that I have been teaching. We know that students get out of the class what they put in. It is difficult to help them understand that they are RESPONSIBLE for their education.
We have instituted a Keys to Success program at our school and reinforce the policy and procedures of the school at the begining of each class (we start a new class every three weeks). This keeps the students focused and reminds them that they are driving the bus that is their education. As educators we can encourage our students but they have to take ownership of their present and their future.
I agree that no student intends to fail a course upon their enrollment. So I share with them that this is a collegiate educational institution. I also share that a collegiate diploma is not an attendance award or a 'payment-in-full' award. I tell them that a collegiate degree is predicated on developing a certain skill set and that they have failed to show me that they have acquired those skills! I also share with the student that their fellow students did not pay the tuition monies to this university only to have it known as a 'degree mill.' These other students expect that their academic credential is held in high esteem.
KGBishop
Hi Tony,
I love the idea of advising forms. Students always know where they are academically. There should be no surprises when students are well informed.
Patricia Scales
I have experianced this type of student behavior since teaching at a for profit school, Students think they deserve an "A" just because they show up, I explain that the grades they get is what they have earned, I allways use advising forms as well to keep them informed of their progress.
Hi Amy,
I love your perspective, and I especially love how you shoot straight with your students. They have to work for what they want. The younger generation needs to hear this and know that this is definitely a matter-of-fact. Your students are fortunate to have you as their instructor with the direct experience you have.
Patricia Scales
Yes, I have experienced this as well. I have been teaching at a profit school for 7 years and mostly the complaint comes from the younger students. In a world where everything is "given" to them, they assume their grades will be too. I make it very clear that grades are earned and not given, but I do hear the complaint at least yearly.
This is a great time to explain how the "real world" works versus the classroom. My students value that I am an adjunct and that I have current experience in the field. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't, but I always "try" to demonstrate to my students work ethics and expectations.
Amy
