September 07 #2: How many students are failing? Why?

In my math class I had only one student to fail. I am so disappointed that he failed, because he KNOWS the information. He just fails to show it on assessments, homework, classwork, or bellwork. Sometimes I think that the work that we do in this class is too advanced for him and he is getting too bored quickly. Conversely, he rushes through his work and does all but almost give up when he does not get a problem on the 1st try.

I spoken with his mother on several occasions and we've come to the conclusion that he is a spoiled baby who is dying for attention. I just began to incorporate different strategies to encourage him to complete his homework. I don't know why this young man is failing. I've conferenced with him several times and he even admitted that he was lazy. I wish I knew what to do with his situation. I don't want to fail him this nine weeks because he knows the material much, much, much better than the others in the class. I feel like my hands are tied and that he’s not trying to do anything to improve his situation. Situations like these make me feel very frustrated. I feel like I’m doing everything possible to help a student, yet they are not doing anything possible to help themselves.

Why do I think students are failing? It’s called apathy. When the grades come out the funniest comment that I always get is, “Why did you give me this grade?” Give! Ha! They never say, “Why didn’t I do my homework or why didn’t I try to pass any of my tests?” This year I know better. I don’t let it get to me too bad and I am doing a better job of showing them that they are responsible for the grade that they receive.