This Q&A was adapted with permission from the book Chalk Talk: E-advice from Jonas Chalk, Legendary College Teacher, edited by Donna M. Qualters and Miriam Rosalyn Diamond –
Question
Dear Jonas,
Yesterday I gave my freshmen a test. At the end of the period only about half the class had finished the exam. The students started getting very vocal, complaining about needing more time, asking whether they could do it over, claiming that the test wasn’t fair, and so on. So I told them that for those who didn’t finish, I would grade only the part they had completed. After class, the students who had finished the test came to me and were very angry. They said it wasn’t fair: since they had finished the test, why should these other students have less work graded? Now I’ve got everybody in the class mad at me. What should I do?
Signed: Tested Out
Answer
Dear Tested Out,
First, think about what you might have done to avoid this? For example, did you try the test yourself to see how long it took you to do it? Even though you’re an expert, you often get a feel for how much time it might actually take if you try to answer your own questions. It’s always best to try any assignments yourself beforehand so that you have a better understanding of what’s involved in doing the work. If you have a TA or grad student working for you, you could ask him or her to take the test and note how long it took; you can then adjust the questions accordingly. If this happens again, you can try a couple of strategies. You could tell students that you’re going to grade the entire test, but because so many students had problems with it, you’re willing to drop one grade this quarter (assuming that you are sure your future tests can be done in the allotted time). If you believe in extra credit, you could give students an opportunity to make up points.
With this class, you’re already in a bind. It’s best to be frank with the group and tell them you were really surprised that they couldn’t finish the test in time. You might also consider telling them that those who want the test to count should let you know, and for the others, you’ll disregard the test grade in the final grade calculations. You should then set the policy clearly with the class for future tests. They’ll appreciate that you’ve heard their concerns and are planning to address them in the future.
Jonas
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This content was adapted with permission from the book Chalk Talk: E-advice from Jonas Chalk, Legendary College Teacher, edited by Donna M. Qualters and Miriam Rosalyn Diamond.
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