Principal okays selling grades as fundraiser

[noamnety]

GOLDSBORO, N.C. — A middle school in North Carolina is selling test scores to students in a bid to raise money.

The News&Observer of Raleigh reported Wednesday that a parent advisory council at Rosewood Middle School in Goldsboro come up with the fundraising plan after last year's chocolate sale flopped.

The school will sell 20 test points to students for $20.

http://www.accessatlanta.com/celebrities-tv/nc-school-sells-test-193125.html?cxntlid=thbz_hm


I saw that earlier today in an email from a fellow teacher. I went to their website just now to see their school site before posting about them, and saw this statement from today linked in giant letters on their main page:

"(snip) Yesterday afternoon, the district administration met with Mrs. Shepherd and directed that the following actions be taken: (1) the fundraiser will be immediately stopped; (2) no extra grade credit will be issued that may have resulted from donations; and, (3) beginning November 12, all donations will be returned. The district will continue its investigation into this matter and additional actions will be taken if deemed necessary. (snip)"

http://www.waynecountyschools.org/wcps960/cwp/view.asp?A=3&Q=370247

[bbinacan]

1. That is stupid. n/t

[noamnety]

4. Beyond stupid.

I've known many teachers though who've given out extra credit to students who bring in a box of kleenex as a room donation. I don't see any difference, in both cases the grades are effectively being bought - by those fortunate enough to have disposable income.

(I've never allowed that in my classroom, if kids ask for extra credit I tell them to revise their assigned work for a better grade.)

[Chemisse]

2. That was a really really dumb idea

I see it was the parent advisory council who thought it up.

Oh well, back to selling chocolates.

[barbtries]

3. wow

i don't know whether to laugh or cry. it's absurd.

[southerncrone]

5. We would all be better served if the kids wrote letters to their

state & Federal congress critters asking them to FULLY-FUND education! The kids would learn language arts skills, plus a civics lesson, too. Parents should be encouraged to write letters, also.

I'm sick of "fund raisers". We are just teaching our kids to be beggars, which IMHO, sends the message that they are not worthy of getting the things they need unless they subject themselves to "selling" for some 3rd party that is using our kids for their FREE sales force. It continually disgusts me. :puke:

[proud2BlibKansan]

6. WOW

I have heard of some stupid ideas over the years but this just about beats them all.

[LWolf]

7. WTF

No surprise that this one didn't "fly."

Clueless.

Edited to add:

On further thought...

Why don't we just make all grades based on donations? So much less work than actual teaching and learning.

Come to think of it, we ought to make test scores based on donations, too.


Oh, right. Test scores are ALREADY tied to parent ses.

[donco6]

8. And principals wonder why they have to submit their fundraisers for approval.

cookie dough, check; butter braids, check. Selling grades . . . uh, that would be a HELL NO.