If your teacher mis-marks something do you tell them?

[UnquietDad]

So, DD's spelling test last week - marked, I think, by the TA. Lower mark than usual. We think, 'ello, what's going on here?

Now, admittedly it isn't always possible to tell with her handwriting, but on examination it became clear that she had several spellings correct which were marked as wrong. Four in total, I think.

So, is pointing this out
a) unbelievably petty
b) supportive and what you'd expect from a good parent
c) tiresomely pushy
d) a waste of time?

Teachers'-eye views welcome too.

My DS is not school age just yet, but I think I would mention it to the teacher and hope that he/she sees you as "supportive and what you'd expect from a good parent".

I think if it was my DD, I would ask her to take it up with whoever it was marked it. Far better I think, to be a low level, kept within the classroom type of conversation.

Interesting that your list has 3 reasons not to and only one to say anything.
Think you know the answer really.

What benefit is there from telling? In case it effects future spellings/work given? I'd hope such things were based on more than one test!

Of course you can make sure your dd knows what she got right (though I'd refrain from calling the teacher/ta an eejit!) your dd will prob say something then anyway!

If you do have to mention it, I'd be diplomatic at least!

No, I was only giving other reasons because I know what people on here are like. I know the right answer for me.

Actually, I think I would have a quiet word, as my DS would be disppointed if we had worked on spellings, he spelled them correctly, and he did not get the recognition. Would handle it in a, 'I know DD's handwriting is a bit difficult to read, and I am trying to encourage her to neaten up, so could you explain that if you can't read her writing eaily it is difficult to awardthe mark' way iyswim?

Are you sure it was marked by a TA? Ds1's spellings are marked by his peers and we have had several occasions when they have been marked incorrectly. I mentioned it at parents' evening and his marks were adjusted accordingly.

I had to sit on my hands at one parents' evening (year 4) when I was looking through his books and found a comment written by his teacher "X - you should use a theasaurus." How much did I want to write "and you should use a dictionary!"?

No

If the school want to do marking - red ink, scores, that sort of thing - then they have a responsibility to get it right. So I think you're entirely justified in taking it up with them, firmly.

Children generally have an incredibly strong sense of justice and fairness, so an unmerited punishment is often the worst thing that can happen. Bad spelling marked wrong is Just One Of Those Things but correct spelling marked wrong is Just Not Fair.

Go get 'em.

Looks like I am in the minority here.
I have had this a few times and I re-mark the work, put the new total and then sign the bottom to say that it is me that has done this. DS then shows it to the teacher.

I have no idea what they think about me

ubergeekian - that was exactly my thinking. I didn't want DD saying it was Not Fair.

How old is your dd, does she need you to come in 'firmly'? I assume you told your dd that she had got them right? Doesn't she feel comfortable or confident to talk to teacher herself? I understand it can be tough for kids to seem like they're contradicting an adult but also a good skill to learn and this could be quite a gentle introduction to standing up for herself diplomatically

I never followed up myself in these circumstances- although I did correct the teachers spelling in the book when she asked for dd to copy out an incorrectly spelt word 3 times . I'd treat it as an opportunity to explain to your dd that if her writing is untidy, these sort of mistakes will occur - it might give her an incentive to improve it.

Agree with that snorkle

It isn't fair for work to be marked incorrect when it is correct. I would get your dd to mention it to the teacher. If I was the teacher concerned I would be very sorry and use it as an opportunity to show the class that EVERYONE makes mistakes sometimes. That would be better than going in yourself imo.

think justice is very important, and so is learning to stand up for it without going mental..

Did I miss DD's age?

I think I'd ask DD if she felt able to show the test to the teacher, telling her that DD'd checked the spellings and she thinks there's been a mistake.

Then I'd follow it up (firmly!) myself if DD chickened out.. or if answer didn't satisfy my own Stringent Standards/match ludicrous self-image as God's Agent of Justice Here On Earth...

LOL onebatmother

Sorry, she is 7.
We took it to her together. And we were very apologetic and low-key and British about it.

DD Y4 gets marks deducted if word is spelt correctly but letter shape is shoddy ie wrong join for a letter.

Tell you what - she soon improved her writing when she stopped getting full marks as she started Y4 in her spelling tests.

Maybe practise handwritig more

oh i see uqd - you've already been to teacher? what did she say to your lowkeyness?

You did right.

I corrected dd's sentence last week when the teacher had written:

"10 sweets or more" & "10 sweets or less"

I told dd it should have said fewer & she cried & said I was wrong & Mrs X was right, as she was the teacher & I wasn't.

yes bad idea to tell kids teacher wrong
like santa dead, in my experience

I don't see how children benefit from believing their teachers are infallible. Mind you, I am wholly against telling children that Santa exists too.[bahhumbug] Life is quite complicated enough for children without adults lying to them.

She was fine with it.

was slightly tongue in cheek uber..

Lying to children vital imho.
I can barely handle the truth.