Holy fuck. Well, she's got a shitload of evidence that contradicts her instructor's sudden change of heart regarding her performance, so I think she should be able to throw a fit and make it happen. If her instructor had concerns and NEVER brought them up and, in fact, did the opposite (gave her As and glowing reviews), then what leg can they stand on to say she shouldn't get credit? None. Tell her to call the Dean of Students STAT. This is fucking ridiculous.
Ditto. This is absolutely something she can fight and win.
You know, this whole thing puts the program and the school in a very poor light. Another poster suggested threatening to go to the media, and while the media may not be my first move there has to be a bureau, an association, something, outside the school that she could threaten them with as a last resort. The alumni association, maybe? Especially in this day and age where enrollment is down and schools are fighting for funding, I would imagine the Dean would not want this story out there.
Ok, this is what I have so far, I just got off the phone with her.
Here's the fucking text, verbatim (including spelling errors): "The Peofessional Concerns Committee was to contact you. I'm sorry to say that you will not receive credit for student teaching this semester. This comes from concerns expressed by your mentor teachers, Dr. Santiago & myself. We all feel that ypu need additoonal time - perhaps methods classes, work with others in the profession, maybe work as a para professional for a while. You are just missing an ingredient that is needed. It was just not enough. Time, hard work and some experience in your field is needed. Skill and sport knowledge, as well a great need for classroom management are areas that need to be addressed. Many options are open to you. It will just require a huge desire from you to accomplish your goals. Let me know if you have any questions."
My sister's response: "I don't understand, after reviewing all four of my evaluations given over the course of this student teaching semester, you've never mentioned one negative for me to work on throughout the semester. If something was so dire as to limit me from class credit, how was it not important enough to mention until the last day of the course semester?"
She got no response.
My sister then went to her mentor professor, who has admitted after giving her 3 A's in three separate classes that he doesn't think she's cut out to be a teacher. Tells her to try a different minor and that he was being nice by giving her A's. Sister specifies that she doesn't want to be a teacher, that she doesn't understand because even if she graduates with this minor it does not certify her to be a teacher. Seriously, my sister just got an academic award in this education department two weeks ago.
Her mentor teachers have written letters saying she's qualified. This is all so ridiculous. SHE DOESN'T WANT TO BE A TEACHER. THIS WOULDN'T EVEN CERTIFY HER. THIS WAS A MINOR THAT WAS EASY SO SHE COULD FOCUS ON HER KINESIOLOGY MAJOR SO SHE COULD GET INTO GRAD SCHOOL. SHE DID TEACHING IN CASE SHE DIDN'T GET INTO GRAD SCHOOL SO SHE COULD WORK WITH OTHER KIDS ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM. IT'S FUCKING PE. LET THE GIRL GRADUATE.
I would seriously be in the dean's office today informing them if they do not put me down to graduate my next move will be to contact an attorney and determine what my options are. They gave her nothing but glowing reviews and NOW they want to pull the plug on her? Of eff that. She needs to make it fucking rain.
OMG. Your sister needs to find everything that EVER said she did a good job. Emails, assignments, voicemails if she has them, student reviews, etc. Gather as much as she can, and then go to the dean.
I DO think she needs to be prepared to have to really fight for this. The entire student teaching experience is objective. What is great classroom management to one, is awful to another.
If she can't get them to pass her. She needs to look at her options. 1. Does she HAVE to have a minor? My current students don't have to in order to graduate. I had to, but that varies by the college and university. 2. If she DOES have to have one, what else is she close to? I was 2 classes away from an English minor, so I threw that in there just cause I could. Some schools have "social sciences" type minors where you pull from a few different areas. Ours allows us to pull classes from 3 different areas- so 2 classes in History, 2 classes in Govt (all 4 of which are already required) and 2 classes in psych, sociology, etc. I have a TON of students that are already close/have completed that minor. Tell her to meet with her advisor and go over her degree audit with a fine toothed comb and see what she is close to/maybe already has. The system probably does not automatically recognize these things....ours won't tell you how close you are to a major/minor unless you tell it to.
Finally. Does she receive any accommodations because of her Aspergers? If so, she needs to be calling the Student Disability office IMMEDIATELY and get one of them to come with her to her meeting with the Dean. I'm thinking there may be something there because of her medical condition (is it documented?) that might make this somewhat discriminatory.
Let me know what I can do Betty. I'm so so so angry on your/her behalf.
ygpm, jillian. She's just devastated. Thank you so much for all your help.
Could it be that they feel slighted that she doesn't want to teach and that she minored in their subject because it seemed easy, and they decided to stick it to her?
Whatever their motivation, they are trying to stonewall her, and she's best to address this with people higher up now, like the dean, as she's attending, because it doesn't sound like they are going to give in any way unless they are called on the carpet.
Finally. Does she receive any accommodations because of her Aspergers? If so, she needs to be calling the Student Disability office IMMEDIATELY and get one of them to come with her to her meeting with the Dean. I'm thinking there may be something there because of her medical condition (is it documented?) that might make this somewhat discriminatory.
Oh hell yes. I didn't know this.
In fact she should start with them if she has someone who has been a great advocate for her.
Finally. Does she receive any accommodations because of her Aspergers? If so, she needs to be calling the Student Disability office IMMEDIATELY and get one of them to come with her to her meeting with the Dean. I'm thinking there may be something there because of her medical condition (is it documented?) that might make this somewhat discriminatory.
Oh hell yes. I didn't know this.
In fact she should start with them if she has someone who has been a great advocate for her.
oh holy hell. she has aspergers?
i'd be saying all OVER the fucking place "i'm sure by 'missing ingredient' you didn't aren't implying that i am incapable due to my documented aspergers."
Omg, you're right. It's totally documented. I didn't even think of that, mainly because I didn't want to believe a bunch of adult chucklefucks would ruin her life over it.
i'd be saying all OVER the fucking place "i'm sure by 'missing ingredient' you didn't aren't implying that i am incapable due to my documented aspergers."
GOD. YES YES YES. Use this exact phrase. Make her practice it. This would scare the SHIT out of me as an administrator.
see, i don't know much about registrars, but i AM good at being scary.
In fact she should start with them if she has someone who has been a great advocate for her.
oh holy hell. she has aspergers?
i'd be saying all OVER the fucking place "i'm sure by 'missing ingredient' you didn't aren't implying that i am incapable due to my documented aspergers."
YES. It sounds like absolute total bullshit. The vagueness of it all sounds like "we don't think someone with aspergers could teach". I am enraged for her. My cousin (and now his son) has Aspergers and he is absolutely brilliant, but is the kind of person who won't fight the system and who would be all "ok, I guess I won't graduate then". It is horrifying that they treat someone like that when that person might have a hard time fighting for herself.
You are doing great helping her betty, you are a great sister.
In fact she should start with them if she has someone who has been a great advocate for her.
oh holy hell. she has aspergers?
i'd be saying all OVER the fucking place "i'm sure by 'missing ingredient' you didn't aren't implying that i am incapable due to my documented aspergers."
I think this is what's leaving me speechless. As a parent, I'm just sofuckingpissed I can't even form a coherent sentence. I don't like to play that card, but that's where my mind went when Betty confirmed it was not just some prank.
Aren't grades a reflection of your understanding/competence with the material presented in the course? NOT a personal gift from a professor? What am I missing here?
In most cases if you fail a student you are ready for a battle. You have taken extra precautions to prove your decision. So for that reason I am nervous for her. But the fact that this came out of the blue, there were shoddy grades, it was sent through a grammatically incorrect TEXT FUCKING MESSAGE tells me they don't know their head form their ass. And then add in the documented disability.
Post by laceandlouboutins on May 2, 2013 10:17:13 GMT -5
What the hell?! I don't understand how they can do this to her. And what kind of shit head does it via text message? At least have the decency to sit down face to face. I am livid for her. I hope she gets things straightened out quickly.
(including spelling errors): "The Peofessional Concerns Committee was to contact you. I'm sorry to say that you will not receive credit for student teaching this semester. This comes from concerns expressed by your mentor teachers, Dr. Santiago & myself. We all feel that ypu need additoonal time - perhaps methods classes, work with others in the profession, maybe work as a para professional for a while. You are just missing an ingredient that is needed. It was just not enough. Time, hard work and some experience in your field is needed. Skill and sport knowledge, as well a great need for classroom management are areas that need to be addressed. Many options are open to you. It will just require a huge desire from you to accomplish your goals. Let me know if you have any questions."
My sister then went to her mentor professor, who has admitted after giving her 3 A's in three separate classes that he doesn't think she's cut out to be a teacher. Tells her to try a different minor and that he was being nice by giving her A's. Sister specifies that she doesn't want to be a teacher, that she doesn't understand because even if she graduates with this minor it does not certify her to be a teacher. Seriously, my sister just got an academic award in this education department two weeks ago.
Her mentor teachers have written letters saying she's qualified.
Okay, a "PROFESSIONAL Concerns Committee," seems to me, needs to take the time to fucking spell-check any "Peofessional" fucking correspondence, for crying out loud. And TEXTING is not considered a "Peofessional" means of notification, especially with something of this magnitude, FFS.
Perhaps THESE individuals are not meant for teaching, as they obviously do not understand the concept of grades, and that the purpose of giving A's is not to win friends and be nice. Also, WTF, a letter saying she is qualified trumps a TEXT saying she is not - amiright?
Did she run over someone's puppy or something? Why the sudden change?
And also, that text from the professional committee is just about the least professional thing I've ever seen. It's so far beside the point, but I cannot believe they are suggesting she is the one missing an ingredient when they are the ones who wrote "ypu need additoonal time" in what is supposed to be professional correspondence. RAGE.
i'd be saying all OVER the fucking place "i'm sure by 'missing ingredient' you didn't aren't implying that i am incapable due to my documented aspergers."
YES. It sounds like absolute total bullshit. The vagueness of it all sounds like "we don't think someone with aspergers could teach". I am enraged for her. My cousin (and now his son) has Aspergers and he is absolutely brilliant, but is the kind of person who won't fight the system and who would be all "ok, I guess I won't graduate then". It is horrifying that they treat someone like that when that person might have a hard time fighting for herself.
You are doing great helping her betty, you are a great sister.
This is what I'm terrified about.
To my sister, things are black and white. For them to say she can't graduate, she must have failed somewhere, even though we can't find any specific area where. THAT is what tears her apart, feedback is extremely important to her, she doesn't even get why someone would falsify feedback. But, she's not a fighter. To her, rules are rules, and if the people say that the rule is she can't graduate, then she must not be able to. It would never occur to her that people do things for the wrong reasons, or even emotional ones. Ever. She's just a literal person to what boundaries and expectations are.
Post by EmilieMadison on May 2, 2013 10:28:29 GMT -5
Oh, shit. I didnt realize she was on the spectrum. Yeah. It sounds like they're railroading her because of it. And now the elusive "missing ingredient" bullshit makes perfect sense- they're using her Asperger's as the reason not to let her pass the student teaching experience. At least, that's the impression I'm getting. She needs an advocate that will help her deal with this nonsense. Based on this and the fact that she's gotten great reviews and As, I think she just needs to make sure the administration knows that she will fight them tooth and nail on this, and she'll graduate.
i'd be saying all OVER the fucking place "i'm sure by 'missing ingredient' you didn't aren't implying that i am incapable due to my documented aspergers."
YES. It sounds like absolute total bullshit. The vagueness of it all sounds like "we don't think someone with aspergers could teach". I am enraged for her. My cousin (and now his son) has Aspergers and he is absolutely brilliant, but is the kind of person who won't fight the system and who would be all "ok, I guess I won't graduate then". It is horrifying that they treat someone like that when that person might have a hard time fighting for herself.
You are doing great helping her betty, you are a great sister.
I was thinking this, too. It sounds like they are dancing around the point that they don't think she has the social skills to be a teacher.
They watched her all semester and, what, felt bad for her so they gave her As? NO. They watched her, thought she did everything right, but still can't wrap their puny heads around the fact that someone not just like them could be a teacher. FUCK THEM.
YES. It sounds like absolute total bullshit. The vagueness of it all sounds like "we don't think someone with aspergers could teach". I am enraged for her. My cousin (and now his son) has Aspergers and he is absolutely brilliant, but is the kind of person who won't fight the system and who would be all "ok, I guess I won't graduate then". It is horrifying that they treat someone like that when that person might have a hard time fighting for herself.
You are doing great helping her betty, you are a great sister.
This is what I'm terrified about.
To my sister, things are black and white. For them to say she can't graduate, she must have failed somewhere, even though we can't find any specific area where. THAT is what tears her apart, feedback is extremely important to her, she doesn't even get why someone would falsify feedback. But, she's not a fighter. To her, rules are rules, and if the people say that the rule is she can't graduate, then she must not be able to. It would never occur to her that people do things for the wrong reasons, or even emotional ones. Ever. She's just a literal person to what boundaries and expectations are.
This makes it so much worst from them. Ugh. You need to push her, insist that she can fight this.
Omg, you're right. It's totally documented. I didn't even think of that, mainly because I didn't want to believe a bunch of adult chucklefucks would ruin her life over it.
I might advise sending an e-mail to the dean and this chucklefuck that sent the text, attaching all of her good reviews, and attaching any sort of documentation that the university and this school has about her accommodation and saying something to the effect of, "I would hate to hear that this "Missing Ingredient" is really just another way of saying that a student with Aspergers has no business teaching? I have received nothing but positive reviews and been given no opportunity to correct any perceived shortcomings in my student teaching. If I am not told by the end of the day today that I am cleared to graduate I will be contacting the Student Ombudsman and my local attorney to discuss my rights under the Americans with Disabilities act and Title VII."
Oh, shit. I didnt realize she was on the spectrum. Yeah. It sounds like they're railroading her because of it. And now the elusive "missing ingredient" bullshit makes perfect sense- they're using her Asperger's as the reason not to let her pass the student teaching experience. At least, that's the impression I'm getting. She needs an advocate that will help her deal with this nonsense. Based on this and the fact that she's gotten great reviews and As, I think she just needs to make sure the administration knows that she will fight them tooth and nail on this, and she'll graduate.
YES. Especially if she won't fight because she thinks this is a matter of her not meeting the set rules.
Omg, you're right. It's totally documented. I didn't even think of that, mainly because I didn't want to believe a bunch of adult chucklefucks would ruin her life over it.
I might advise sending an e-mail to the dean and this chucklefuck that sent the text, attaching all of her good reviews, and attaching any sort of documentation that the university and this school has about her accommodation and saying something to the effect of, "I would hate to hear that this "Missing Ingredient" is really just another way of saying that a student with Aspergers has no business teaching? I have received nothing but positive reviews and been given no opportunity to correct any perceived shortcomings in my student teaching. If I am not told by the end of the day today that I am cleared to graduate I will be contacting the Student Ombudsman and my local attorney to discuss my rights under the Americans with Disabilities act and Title VII."
That might shut them up.
I completely agree with this. Time to throw fire at them. This situation is ridiculous!
Omg, you're right. It's totally documented. I didn't even think of that, mainly because I didn't want to believe a bunch of adult chucklefucks would ruin her life over it.
I might advise sending an e-mail to the dean and this chucklefuck that sent the text, attaching all of her good reviews, and attaching any sort of documentation that the university and this school has about her accommodation and saying something to the effect of, "I would hate to hear that this "Missing Ingredient" is really just another way of saying that a student with Aspergers has no business teaching? I have received nothing but positive reviews and been given no opportunity to correct any perceived shortcomings in my student teaching. If I am not told by the end of the day today that I am cleared to graduate I will be contacting the Student Ombudsman and my local attorney to discuss my rights under the Americans with Disabilities act and Title VII."
That might shut them up.
Ditto, please have her contact the Ombudsman ASAP.
Because you said she may not be willing to fight because of rules, she needs to contact the disability office at the school now. Make them start steamrolling. This is their job.
Post by Captain Serious on May 2, 2013 10:43:22 GMT -5
I wouldn't threaten having an attorney contact them. If they will back down when you call out that you think this is a discrimination case under the ADA, they will do it without you mentioning an attorney. If they don't, then you still have options, such as hiring an advocate, mediator, or lawyer, and you may want to weigh those options (and their respective costs) before locking yourself into one.