DS doesn't want his test results read out in class by the teacher - can he ask the teacher not to?

[SirChenjin]

One of DS's teachers reads out everyone's test scores instead of giving them back their papers. I'm not sure why, and it's not popular with the pupils. All the other teachers simply give them back their papers with their marks written on them.

He'll be getting his Higher prelim paper back soon, and doesn't think he's done that well sadly - he's really upset, as it's a key subject for him. He wanted to ask the teacher if he could have his paper back instead of having his mark read out publicly. Is that a reasonable request, and if so, what (if anything) could be done if the teacher refuses the request?

I do this sometimes with y11.

we have a spreadsheet which calculates UMS marks to work out grades, & I'll often have this on the whiteboard & update it 'live' (without saving it) to motivate the kids - 'so, Jack, let's say you just got another 5 marks on the exam paper - so we'll change your November mock 46 to a 51 - that & your new Controlled Assessment - 12 instead of 9 - would take you to - hang on 212 UMS, so that would be your B!'

The usual response is a clamour of 'do me, miss, how many do I need?'

But if I were asked not to, whether directly by the student or by a parent, I'd respect that - it'd be possible to either 'hide' individual students or just show the ones who did want to see one at a time.

It's a balance - no-one wants to upset kids who've worked hard & done their best, but still not done well, but competition is also a powerful incentive!

I'd want him/you to let me know if it was bothering your ds & would much rather find a solution than have him distressed.

I agree with phdlife. I would object, too. But I am also American, and this type of disclosure would likely be against the law in most situations in the US under federal and state laws protecting the confidentiality of student records.

At ds2's school the maths teacher (top maths set of accelerated stream so all v bright) tells the class the names of the children who got 100% in tests which seems fair enough - maybe your son could suggest a compromise like that?

absolutely not over sensitive. I do read results out sometimes just for speed so not taking ages giving papers out and back in again but I always say tell me if you dont want me to read it out and then I go to them separately or they come to the front to see it.

Ds is year 6 and the teacher reads the top scores out in tests.

Thanks everyone Will suggest that he has a word with the teacher this week - exam results aren't due out for a while yet - and depending on what the teacher says I may or may not have a quiet word. He's a bright kid - they all are, got top marks in their standard grade in the subject, and are well motivated - I want to keep it that way for him.

It's also hard to have marks read out when you're doing well - I used to hate it. The pressure was so intense to see whether you were still top or whether you'd made a mistake, everyone laughing if you had, everyone thinking you're a swot regardless, just horrible - doing really well in school is not actually something that is well regarded. And I'm sure the ones who didn't do so well also hated it. I feel sorry for him.

I agree. I used to dread having my marks read out in class - I was quite clever, and it gave plenty of ammunition to the class bully and her hangers-on

This was standard at my secondary school. It motivated us all to work hard and get the best possible marks.

Are they still doing this in schools? I hated it when I was in school (and we won't discuss how many years ago that was!!). Those that did well got crap either for just doing well, accused of being a teacher's pet, or destroying the grade curve. Those that didn't do well felt humiliated. There were always a few that had that "race for the bottom" thing going on as well. Dreadful practice.

I agree Alice. I was motivated to work hard by many things - having my marks read out was not one of them.

I do the same as mini me- let anyone who wants to come and get theirs on their own. The only time I read them all out was for a gcse exam when every child got an a*- b except 4 lazy boys who still got Cs . All were on or above target too so made for a fab atmosphere.

Domino, I wonder how easy it is to be the only one who asks to not have their marks read out? Is that really going to help the child who's regularly getting the lower marks - not through laziness, as someone has mentioned - just because they're not the cleverest ?

It's not a regular thing- probably 3 times a year. Other pieces are given back individually with the marks on. This is their current grade so other option would be to have 33 children lining up to get it. It's normally the high achieving ones who avoid it actually.

I agree with domino. I would like to think I've built good relationships with my students so they know they can tell me they dont want it read out. i also look at each child as i do it so even with just a small shake of their head i know if they want me to or not. I also do it rarely but sometimes if its a quick test its just easier. full blown essays always fully handed back and its their choice to share.

He's back to school tomorrow, so will let you know how he gets on. He plans to tell the teacher that he doesn't want his marks read out and hopefully the teacher will respect that. If not, he plans to go and see the year head, and we'll take it from there. Fingers crossed he'll be professional about it and respect his request - I can't imagine why he wouldn't.