Straight-A student?s parents sue over F

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jagec

Lifer
Apr 30, 2004
24,442
6
81
Originally posted by: jiggahertz
J. Michael Ronson, the student?s lawyer, said the late assignment should be accepted because the trip had been approved by the principal. Other absent students, including athletes and those who are suspended under disciplinary action, are allowed to hand in work after they return to school, he said.

Seems like it should have been accepted, but a lawsuit is a little over the top.

The question is whether she even talked about the trip with the teacher beforehand, or if she just showed up one day late and said "Yeah, here's my leaf project." IF she had discussed it with the teacher (I have a feeling she did not), and the teacher had agreed and then proceeded to fail her, that's one thing. But if she just assumed that she had carte blanche as long as she was on a school-approved trip...

I'd be upset too if it happened to me, but for the most part, I respect petty thieves more than I do people who file lawsuits at the drop of a hat. They do much less damage to society. I'm a reasonable guy, and like to help out others when I can, but if anyone ever sues me without trying to talk the issue over first, I won't lift a finger to help them ever again, in any circumstance.
 

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
102,407
8,595
126
Originally posted by: jdoggg12
Show me where it says it's school policy to allow students to turn in work late for school field trips.
read the frickin' article:
?She?s really not protesting a bad grade, what she?s protesting is that there?s a refusal to follow the rule in Kanawha County, that if you?re absent from school with permission, then you are given the days you?re absent to make up or complete the work you?ve done,?
In my experience every teacher has their own policy. Some are more strict than others.

When i went away for sports, it depended on the teacher as to whether or not I could turn stuff in late. I mean, who goes on a trip when they have (what is basically) a final due without speaking with the teacher first?
what bearing does your experience with whatever school you're in have on the policy in Kanawha County?


Originally posted by: jagec
I'd be upset too if it happened to me, but for the most part, I respect petty thieves more than I do people who file lawsuits at the drop of a hat. They do much less damage to society. I'm a reasonable guy, and like to help out others when I can, but if anyone ever sues me without trying to talk the issue over first, I won't lift a finger to help them ever again, in any circumstance.
do you honestly think they didn't try to talk it over first?
 

Kev

Lifer
Dec 17, 2001
16,367
4
81
It seems like half the people in this thread are unfamiliar with the definition of the word "policy."
 

jagec

Lifer
Apr 30, 2004
24,442
6
81
Originally posted by: ElFenix
Originally posted by: jagec
I'd be upset too if it happened to me, but for the most part, I respect petty thieves more than I do people who file lawsuits at the drop of a hat. They do much less damage to society. I'm a reasonable guy, and like to help out others when I can, but if anyone ever sues me without trying to talk the issue over first, I won't lift a finger to help them ever again, in any circumstance.
do you honestly think they didn't try to talk it over first?

Before the fact, or after the fact?
 

waggy

No Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
68,143
10
81
Originally posted by: ElFenix
Originally posted by: jdoggg12
Show me where it says it's school policy to allow students to turn in work late for school field trips.
read the frickin' article:
?She?s really not protesting a bad grade, what she?s protesting is that there?s a refusal to follow the rule in Kanawha County, that if you?re absent from school with permission, then you are given the days you?re absent to make up or complete the work you?ve done,?
In my experience every teacher has their own policy. Some are more strict than others.

When i went away for sports, it depended on the teacher as to whether or not I could turn stuff in late. I mean, who goes on a trip when they have (what is basically) a final due without speaking with the teacher first?
what bearing does your experience with whatever school you're in have on the policy in Kanawha County?


Originally posted by: jagec
I'd be upset too if it happened to me, but for the most part, I respect petty thieves more than I do people who file lawsuits at the drop of a hat. They do much less damage to society. I'm a reasonable guy, and like to help out others when I can, but if anyone ever sues me without trying to talk the issue over first, I won't lift a finger to help them ever again, in any circumstance.
do you honestly think they didn't try to talk it over first?

i don't think they did. IF they did i would think that would be part of the article. because if they talked and the teacher said she can turn it in late and then gave her a zero (then changed it to half credit) they would be saying so.
 

OutHouse

Lifer
Jun 5, 2000
36,410
616
126
Originally posted by: ElFenix
Originally posted by: thraashman
Originally posted by: JS80
teacher and school are being unfair, i hope she wins the lawsuit. parents should control schools, not power hungry bureaucrats.

You obviously don't know any teachers. Parents should most certainly NOT control schools. Because first off, teachers have degrees in this stuff. For some reason parents think they know more than students. She had advanced notice that she was going to be absent, and therefore it was HER responsibility to turn the project in early! It's by no means the teacher's fault that the student chose to ignore the turn in date and is trying to use a school trip as an excuse to get extra time that other students did not get.

the school's policy is to accept projects turned in the day after a school trip. everyone on a school trip has advance notice that they'll be away, yet only this one student is penalized for it. as a governmental body, the school and teacher cannot engage in arbitrary and capricious behavior like that.


Originally posted by: Citrix
The project?s deadline listed in the class syllabus was Oct. 17, but L.H. was attending a school-approved student council trip to Jacksons Mill in Lewis County from Oct. 15-17.

so if she was GONE on a trip on the 17th when it was due then that means she should have had it done and turned in BEFORE she left for the trip.

pretty cut and dry if you ask me.

not when the SCHOOL'S POLICY is to accept work the day after the trip that was due during the trip. this one teacher unilaterally changed that rule for one student. the teacher can't do that.


But did she communicate this to the teacher before she left? i dont think so and is why the teacher is refusing to change the grade thus the parents are sueing.

is it too difficult to go up to the teacher and say. "hi, im going on a school field trip when my project is due, do you want me to hand it in on Friday, or on wed when i get back?"

if she asked that beforehand none of this would be happening.
 

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
102,407
8,595
126
Originally posted by: jagec
Originally posted by: ElFenix
Originally posted by: jagec
I'd be upset too if it happened to me, but for the most part, I respect petty thieves more than I do people who file lawsuits at the drop of a hat. They do much less damage to society. I'm a reasonable guy, and like to help out others when I can, but if anyone ever sues me without trying to talk the issue over first, I won't lift a finger to help them ever again, in any circumstance.
do you honestly think they didn't try to talk it over first?

Before the fact, or after the fact?

after the fact, as there was nothing to sue about before the fact. obviously no one thought to discuss it before the fact. probably because the school policy was clear on what would happen. it was only when that policy was arbitrarily violated did any grounds for a law suit come up

i mean, if you're run into, are you going to discuss avoiding a lawsuit before you're run into, or after you're run into?

Originally posted by: Citrix
But did she communicate this to the teacher before she left? i dont think so and is why the teacher is refusing to change the grade thus the parents are sueing.
since when does it make any sense for the student to communicate the school's policy to the teacher?!?
 

waggy

No Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
68,143
10
81
Originally posted by: ElFenix
Originally posted by: jagec
Originally posted by: ElFenix
Originally posted by: jagec
I'd be upset too if it happened to me, but for the most part, I respect petty thieves more than I do people who file lawsuits at the drop of a hat. They do much less damage to society. I'm a reasonable guy, and like to help out others when I can, but if anyone ever sues me without trying to talk the issue over first, I won't lift a finger to help them ever again, in any circumstance.
do you honestly think they didn't try to talk it over first?

Before the fact, or after the fact?

after the fact, as there was nothing to sue about before the fact. obviously no one thought to discuss it before the fact. probably because the school policy was clear on what would happen. it was only when that policy was arbitrarily violated did any grounds for a law suit come up

i mean, if you're run into, are you going to discuss avoiding a lawsuit before you're run into, or after you're run into?


the student still should have talked to the teacher BEFORE. they were told they would nto accept late work. at that point she should have went up an mentioned she was going to be gone on a school trip that day. To make sure the teacher would accepted it. IF not then go to the principal and mention the policy and make sure its ok.



Originally posted by: Citrix
But did she communicate this to the teacher before she left? i dont think so and is why the teacher is refusing to change the grade thus the parents are sueing.

is it too difficult to go up to the teacher and say. "hi, im going on a school field trip when my project is due, do you want me to hand it in on Friday, or on wed when i get back?"

if she asked that beforehand none of this would be happening.

the teacher DID CHANGE the grade. seh was at first given a ZERO but the teacher changed it to half credit later.
 

OutHouse

Lifer
Jun 5, 2000
36,410
616
126
Originally posted by: waggy
Originally posted by: ElFenix
Originally posted by: jagec
Originally posted by: ElFenix
Originally posted by: jagec
I'd be upset too if it happened to me, but for the most part, I respect petty thieves more than I do people who file lawsuits at the drop of a hat. They do much less damage to society. I'm a reasonable guy, and like to help out others when I can, but if anyone ever sues me without trying to talk the issue over first, I won't lift a finger to help them ever again, in any circumstance.
do you honestly think they didn't try to talk it over first?

Before the fact, or after the fact?

after the fact, as there was nothing to sue about before the fact. obviously no one thought to discuss it before the fact. probably because the school policy was clear on what would happen. it was only when that policy was arbitrarily violated did any grounds for a law suit come up

i mean, if you're run into, are you going to discuss avoiding a lawsuit before you're run into, or after you're run into?


the student still should have talked to the teacher BEFORE. they were told they would nto accept late work. at that point she should have went up an mentioned she was going to be gone on a school trip that day. To make sure the teacher would accepted it. IF not then go to the principal and mention the policy and make sure its ok.



Originally posted by: Citrix
But did she communicate this to the teacher before she left? i dont think so and is why the teacher is refusing to change the grade thus the parents are sueing.

is it too difficult to go up to the teacher and say. "hi, im going on a school field trip when my project is due, do you want me to hand it in on Friday, or on wed when i get back?"

if she asked that beforehand none of this would be happening.

the teacher DID CHANGE the grade. seh was at first given a ZERO but the teacher changed it to half credit later.


must have missed that. then kudos to the teacher.
 

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
102,407
8,595
126
Originally posted by: waggy

the student still should have talked to the teacher BEFORE. they were told they would nto accept late work. at that point she should have went up an mentioned she was going to be gone on a school trip that day. To make sure the teacher would accepted it. IF not then go to the principal and mention the policy and make sure its ok.
yes, she should have, but if the school's policy is accurately presented in that article, the fact that she didn't should be of no consequence whatsoever. if school's policy is: "inform your teacher and show them the note beforehand" then yes, i'd agree. but that isn't what we're told is the policy.
 

waggy

No Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
68,143
10
81
Originally posted by: ElFenix
Originally posted by: waggy

the student still should have talked to the teacher BEFORE. they were told they would nto accept late work. at that point she should have went up an mentioned she was going to be gone on a school trip that day. To make sure the teacher would accepted it. IF not then go to the principal and mention the policy and make sure its ok.
yes, she should have, but if the school's policy is accurately presented in that article, the fact that she didn't should be of no consequence whatsoever. if school's policy is: "inform your teacher and show them the note beforehand" then yes, i'd agree. but that isn't what we're told is the policy.

yes and IF she would have gone beforhand she would have been 100% sure one way or another.

if the teacherr said NO she will not except it for any reason she then goes to the principle and mentions the policy. IF he refuses to do anything then i woiuld be 100% behind her on the suit.

but she did not. while the policy states that the teacher should have taken it (i do agree with that part of the lawsuit) the student asking for damages is BS.

 

mugs

Lifer
Apr 29, 2003
48,920
46
91
She should have never even had to sue the school. If the school's policy allows you to turn in assignments late if you're absent for an athletic event or if you're suspended, she should be treated the same way.
 

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
102,407
8,595
126
Originally posted by: waggy
yes and IF she would have gone beforhand she would have been 100% sure one way or another.

if the teacherr said NO she will not except it for any reason she then goes to the principle and mentions the policy. IF he refuses to do anything then i woiuld be 100% behind her on the suit.

but she did not. while the policy states that the teacher should have taken it (i do agree with that part of the lawsuit) the student asking for damages is BS.

ok. so do you agree that the teacher should follow the policy and grade it with no late penalty?
Originally posted by: Citrix


must have missed that. then kudos to the teacher.
kudos to the cop for saying he's sorry after jailing you for a night with no cause
 

NFS4

No Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
72,636
47
91
Originally posted by: mugs
She should have never even had to sue the school. If the school's policy allows you to turn in assignments late if you're absent for an athletic event or if you're suspended, she should be treated the same way.

QFT. I don't see why the teacher/school system is making this so difficult.
 

KingofCamelot

Golden Member
Aug 20, 2004
1,074
0
0
Originally posted by: jiggahertz
Originally posted by: ch33zw1z
4.5 GPA...wtf is that.

A buttload of AP courses.

Indeed. With AP courses its not very hard to get an inflated GPA like that. Last semester between my 4 AP classes I got a 4.5, or two As and two Bs. That was with minimal effort too.

While she should have turned in the project ahead of time, its bullshit if she would have had to turn it in 4 days earlier than everyone else.
 

waggy

No Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
68,143
10
81
Originally posted by: ElFenix
Originally posted by: waggy
yes and IF she would have gone beforhand she would have been 100% sure one way or another.

if the teacherr said NO she will not except it for any reason she then goes to the principle and mentions the policy. IF he refuses to do anything then i woiuld be 100% behind her on the suit.

but she did not. while the policy states that the teacher should have taken it (i do agree with that part of the lawsuit) the student asking for damages is BS.

ok. so do you agree that the teacher should follow the policy and grade it with no late penalty?

yes they should have. but i do not have much sympathy for the studant. I been in the same situation and worked to get it in early.

this would have been fixed if she went in and talk to the teacher/principle etc.

BUT yes the teacher should have taken it even a day late. BUt to sue for damages and such is bullshit (wich is my big problem with the suit)


 

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
102,407
8,595
126
Originally posted by: waggy

yes they should have. but i do not have much sympathy for the studant. I been in the same situation and worked to get it in early.

this would have been fixed if she went in and talk to the teacher/principle etc.

BUT yes the teacher should have taken it even a day late. BUt to sue for damages and such is bullshit (wich is my big problem with the suit)
well, at least we're getting somewhere.

unfortunately, lawyers do not work for free. the damages is to get the school to take them seriously. it'll probably settle with the girl getting her grade and the lawyer getting his fees paid, and not much else.

 

FDF12389

Diamond Member
Sep 8, 2005
5,234
7
76
I agree with the student, policy is policy and legally if you offer a field trip you have to let the field tripees turn their assignment in later or extend the due date for the whole class, in WI anyways.
 

angminas

Diamond Member
Dec 17, 2006
3,331
26
91
Very likely they don't even care about the money. Odds are that they just want a big frightening lawsuit to make the school stop acting like jerks. If they wanted to count off for it being late, they should have just reduced the score, not auto-fail for one day late. If I had a 4.5 and a chance at valedictorian, I'd be very angry about a B that I didn't really earn. Hell, I would be anyway...

The school pushed too hard in the wrong direction, and now the family is pushing back. If they tried talking first, I don't see the problem with the suit. From a worldy perspective, that is.
 

irishScott

Lifer
Oct 10, 2006
21,562
3
0
In my high school, it was a student's responsibility to get the paper to the teacher the day it was due regardless of conditions, or at least make a valid attempt to do so. (ie arrange to have it put in the teacher's mailbox, hand it in early, etc)

Damages my a$$. OMG I won't be valedictorian!!! I know several of these vaunted "4.5 valedictorian students" and while a few worthy ones did get into MIT and CalTech, a good number are "taking a year off" before going to college. I had a 3.4 and I'm getting straight As in college now you rich lazy bastards. Suck it in.
 

waggy

No Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
68,143
10
81
Originally posted by: ElFenix
Originally posted by: waggy

yes they should have. but i do not have much sympathy for the studant. I been in the same situation and worked to get it in early.

this would have been fixed if she went in and talk to the teacher/principle etc.

BUT yes the teacher should have taken it even a day late. BUt to sue for damages and such is bullshit (wich is my big problem with the suit)
well, at least we're getting somewhere.

unfortunately, lawyers do not work for free. the damages is to get the school to take them seriously. it'll probably settle with the girl getting her grade and the lawyer getting his fees paid, and not much else.


fine take enough to pay the lawyer. nothing else is deserved. she bares some responbility in it.


 

mugs

Lifer
Apr 29, 2003
48,920
46
91
Originally posted by: irishScott
In my high school, it was a student's responsibility to get the paper to the teacher the day it was due regardless of conditions, or at least make a valid attempt to do so. (ie arrange to have it put in the teacher's mailbox, hand it in early, etc)

Damages my a$$. OMG I won't be valedictorian!!! I know several of these vaunted "4.5 valedictorian students" and while a few worthy ones did get into MIT and CalTech, a good number are "taking a year off" before going to college. I had a 3.4 and I'm getting straight As in college now you rich lazy bastards. Suck it in.

See, the difference is your school's policy required that, her school's policy (supposedly) allows her to turn it in the next day and the teacher is not honoring that.

My school's policy was that you got a zero for any work you miss while suspended, but her school's policy allows them to get credit apparently.
 

mercanucaribe

Banned
Oct 20, 2004
9,763
1
0
Originally posted by: irishScott
In my high school, it was a student's responsibility to get the paper to the teacher the day it was due regardless of conditions, or at least make a valid attempt to do so. (ie arrange to have it put in the teacher's mailbox, hand it in early, etc)

Damages my a$$. OMG I won't be valedictorian!!! I know several of these vaunted "4.5 valedictorian students" and while a few worthy ones did get into MIT and CalTech, a good number are "taking a year off" before going to college. I had a 3.4 and I'm getting straight As in college now you rich lazy bastards. Suck it in.

Your rant doesn't change the school's policy and the fact that the teacher violated it.

The girl had no responsibility whatsoever to ask the teacher for permission beforehand, and it's irrelevant whether it was the 'smart' thing to do or not. We live in a world of rules, and if the teacher violates those rules to spite the girl, THE TEACHER IS WRONG. The girl is not wrong for failing to anticipate asshattery.