My colleague was quite peeved (to put it mildly) and walked out of the
discussion when one of the COUNSELORS (!) continued the discussion referring to
art classes, also, as "blow-off" classes!!!! That was the last day before our
Christmas break. ANY SUGGESTIONS OR COMMENTS as how to deal with this?
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If your in a Public High School -Look over your criteria for grading. If
your average is higher than a C, you may want to increase your "quality"
standards and or consequences for absences. I do NOT have this problem at my
school. If the councelors dump kids in my classroom- and they DO(in the middle
and end of the semesters) they have about the same chance of passing my class
as they would being dumped in a Math class at the same time. Unless of course
they would make up all the work they missed (Laugh!). I'm not saying I
don't make any accomodations to various students- I do, just like all the other
teachers (spec ed, deaths in families etc.). But if a student does not follow
directions, does not put forth the effort, does not come to class- for
whatever reasons that are habitual (sickness, suspensions, "personal" or
whatever) -if there are too many, he or she will not do well in my class. This is
not subjective- my grading criteria has this built in to it -and I discuss
this in detail the first week of class and give all students a handout for them
to reference throughout the semester. Students must come to class, they must
follow directions and complete the work (I do not grade unfinnished work)
and they must put forth effort in all of the work they do in art. These are
excellent habits to possess in order to succeed in any high school class. If
high school art teachers do not hold students accountable for a minimum set of
standards, they will have to face that negative attitude by a lot more than
just gen ed teachers and councelors!
You must also establish the value of art by displaying work continually
throughout the school and community. Its not always easy and it takes a lot
of time and effort on our part but it is very neccessary! It will also help
if you say NO to personal requests for "art" from other teachers who come to
you for free bees. I wouldn't think about going to the accounting teacher
and asking him or her to do my taxes for free- just because I can't do it as
well or as quickly! Imagine! Sorry you hit a nerve- and its late. Going to
bed now 'cause back to school tomorrow. YEA!
Kathy in Kalamazoo
